God Never Gives You More Than You Can Bear…

Posted on February 28, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

“God Never Gives You More Than You Can Bear…”

Years ago I believed this came from scripture…or at least that it was a biblical truth.  I said it many times, and tried to find comfort in that statement for myself.  And yet, it seemed as if what I observed all around me was the exact opposite.  So what is the truth?

My eyes were opened during a Bible study called The Grace Walk Experience by Dr. Steve McVey.  We were asked to examine 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV), We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (emphasis mine).

It’s all in there…the truth about the trials and suffering that comes into our lives. I would never compare the hardships or trials in my life to that which the Apostle Paul endured but I’ve had some hard times that have taken me into the pit.  In these verses, Paul tells us the hardships that he and his companions went through were just too much for them to handle…it went far beyond what they could physically, mentally and emotionally endure.  They couldn’t bear the strain and the pain.  It was so bad that they really just wanted to die so that they would escape the unbearable circumstances.  But why would God allow them to get to this unbearable state?

Paul came to realize it was all in the hands of God.  Their very lives had to be surrendered into God’s hands.  There wasn’t a thing they could do to save themselves or ease their suffering.  And that was where God wanted them to be…the place where they would give up their self sufficiency and rest in His sufficiency.

God tries to get our attention.  As I look back on my trials, I see He was trying to get my attention but I kept trying to control and handle everything on my own.  It was only when I came to the end of my self sufficiency that I was able to see that is was all about God’s sufficiency and not about mine.

No, I don’t believe the statement “God never gives you more than you can bear” any more. It’s a bit scary, I have to admit. But I have seen in my own life that…I can’t…but He can. Instead of relying on my self sufficiency (really non-existent) I need to rely totally on His sufficiency.

MaryAnn Kiernan

This devotional was first published in Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2.

Written by Mary Ann Kiernan: Mary Ann recently retired after 11 years on staff at America’s Keswick, where she served both in women’s ministry and as the Intake Manager at the Colony of Mercy. She plans to become a regular contributor to Victory Call after a cruise with her husband. This devotional originally appeared in Real Victory for Real Life, Volume 2.

The Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 27-28, Philemon| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Often, we endure trials seeking God’s deliverance from them. Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God’s will is being done.” – Paul Chappell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” – John 3:36