More Than You Can
Handle
By Carolyn
Hulliberger
“Surely God is my
help;
The Lord is the one
who sustains me.”
Psalm
54:4 (NIV)
There
is a saying that goes, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
It’s
a lie.
How
do I know this? Because, at times, I have been given plenty more than I
can handle…on my own. You see, the saying needs to be changed to, “God
won’t give you more than HE can handle.”
As
Christ-followers, we are not shielded from the consequences of living in a
fallen, imperfect world. Accidents still happen, disasters still strike,
disease still occurs.
And
we can’t handle it…without Him. In fact, I believe there have been times
when I was given more than I can handle for the express purpose of turning my
wholehearted attention to the Savior who loves me.
Because
I couldn’t do it on my own anymore.
So
while God doesn’t promise that He won’t give us more than we can handle, He
does promise many other provisions when life falls apart, and we surrender to
His working in our lives. Here are just a few:
His
Courage:
“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians
4:13
His
Guidance:
“I will counsel you and watch over you,” says the Lord. Psalm 32:8
His
Peace:
“Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.’” John 14:27
His
Presence:
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you
nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
His
Caring:
“Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
His Forgiveness: “In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8
His
Help:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm
46:1
His
Love:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Have you been trying to handle circumstances on your own, only to find yourself
buckling under the weight?
2.
Which of God’s provisions do you especially need today?
Along with caring for
her husband and two children, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State
Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with junior high girls.
