I’d like to clarify one of my last posts on Facebook, which a screenshot of can be found attached to this post here on Locals.

When I said, "God will often give you more than you can handle..." that statement is meant to turn the whole, “God won’t give you more than you can handle” belief on its head.

Why?

Because that belief is a gross misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which is actually referring to temptation, which more often than not gets confused with trials and suffering.

It is imperative to understand that sin is like a predator that stalks us and desires to overcome us (Gen. 4:7) - that is why were are tempted.

James 1:13-15 tells us:

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

But God is faithful and always provides a way of escape.

Sin sets the bait, but it is NOT irresistible.

This is what is meant by 1 Corinthians 10:13, which tells us:

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

I’d like to encourage reading the entire chapter for confirmation of context.

We are tempted (tested) because we live in a fallen world - it's not God that is tempting us with sin, according to James 1 which I cited above.

Here’s the deal…

Believing that “God will never give us more than we can handle” teaches three very wrong things:

1. That God sends the trials to teach a lesson…

The problem with this belief is that Jesus calmed the storms, He never sent them - and Jesus said in John 14:9, “whoever has seen me, has seen the Father.” So we know that Jesus is God in the flesh, manifested on the earth. God became flesh in the form of Jesus to establish His kingdom and a new covenant - which is why we call it the New Testament.

Trials will come our way that may or may not cause overwhelming suffering simply because we live in a broken world full of broken people.

And when the suffering comes, people often blame God as if it’s His fault... the enemy sneaks in like the snake he is, bites people, and then they turn around and blame God for biting them.

And sometimes when the pain and suffering become more than a person can handle... sometimes... they either commit suicide or turn their back on God altogether.

2. Believing God will never give you more than you can handle also teaches that God is fair.

The problem with this belief is that God has already been unfair because he has graciously shown us mercy that we simply don’t deserve. He has been longsuffering in His abounding love for us…

But yet at the same time, according to Acts 10:34, we know that God is no respecter of persons - in other words, He doesn't show favoritism.

So it’s safe to say that He transcends our definitions of fair and unfair and isn’t subject to our subjective definitions.

Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us:

"“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

3. The last thing that belief does is it points us inward instead of Godward.

People take comfort in knowing they can handle whatever life throws at them… but it’s a false comfort that places all the pressure on an individual's own strength and ability.

Why is it false?

Because then why would we ever need God if we can handle it all on our own?

In Psalm 46:1-3, we’re pointed Godward… because God is supposed to be our refuge… He is our strength.

So why did I word my last post, “God will often give you more than you can handle?”

Because sparking conversation is healthy and iron sharpens iron.

I knew it would invite engagement.

But those who know me also know that I’m a firm believer in sowing and reaping, free will, that God is good and everything He does is good (1 John 1:5), and that God can never be the author of evil (James 1:13-17).

So why do bad things happen to good people... and yes, it's oftentimes more than an individual can handle on their own?

Because we live in a broken world full of broken people tainted by sin.

Trials and suffering happen because we live in a sinful world… and yes, sometimes it’s more than someone can bear, unfortunately.

But the temptation to sin, which is what 1 Corinthians 13 is referring to that people often misinterpret to mean "God won't give us more than we can handle," is a different subject entirely...

What this scripture really means is that when we’re tempted by sin, God always provides a way of escape.

So again, when I said, "God will often give you more than you can handle..." understand that God doesn't send the storms into your life... the storms come as a natural result of living in a fallen world.

But our faith gets tested in our willingness to be obedient to what God has commanded and called us to do, despite our circumstances.

Hope this clears any confusion up.