Does God Give us More than We Can Take?

The other day in a Stephen Ministry meeting, a discussion ensued about whether or not God truly does give us more than we can take.  I personally am glad I did not hear this a year ago.  God gives us more than we can handle?  Hmmm, I need to think about this more closely...

The author of the blog states unequivocally that God DOES give us more than we can take and cites the following examples:

• a survivor of Auschwitz
• the man who lost his wife and child in a car accident
• a girl whose innocence was robbed from her
• a person crushed under the weight of depression and anxiety
• kids who just learned their parent has a terminal illness

These are all great examples.  And what many may not know (myself included at the time), is that this is not a Scripturally-based expression.  The closest that is in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 10:13.  It says, "...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 stand up under it."  (NIV) In looking more closely, the passage 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 speaks to a warning against overconfidence; that baptism and partaking in the Lord’s supper are not enough to guarantee your entry into Heaven.  Rather, we need to rely on God’s grace and continue to pursue a life lived for His glory.  Sounds pretty close, though-- except for that whole temptation part.  Nope, no word about trials in this passage.  

I guess the question now becomes, if He gives us more than we can bear, "How can we survive intolerable situations?"  Ah, the answer to that, DOES lie in Scripture.  

He sends us Christians to pray with us and for us,  and assures us that He is there.  Matthew 18:20 says   “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (New American Standard Bible)

He tells us to pray ALL the time, and to be joyful while doing so.  Even during trials, He is building us up for the body of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

He assures us that these turbulent and depressing times won’t last forever.

Jeremiah 30:18-21 “...Things will get better and better.  Depression days are over.  They’ll thrive, they’ll flourish....” (The Message)

So is it possible God gives us more than we can handle?  I suppose it is.  But let’s look at the greatest example of our faith -- Jesus.  Surely, if anyone had more then he could handle,  it would be Him.  Yet, in his final hours, He ultimately surrendered to His Father’s will.  He knew His Father was in control.

So does God give us more than we can handle?  I guess there are times that He does.  But, I suppose the take away is that God is in control in all circumstances.  He is there and has been since the beginning.   He hears us when we cry out.  At those times when we have more than we can take,  we need to just surrender and hand it all over to Him.