The Most Popular Lie

MYTH:

"God will not give me more than I can bear."

Many people believe this popular lie.

Yes. You are reading correctly. I said it is a lie. And that's Scriptural.

The verse actually says :"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."

A temptation and a burden/trial are two different things. James 1 makes a distinction between the two. Temptations are opportunities for sin. Trials, on the other hands, are completely out of our control. Things like death, illness, natural catastrophe, etc. And frankly, God WILL allow you to fall into trials. Why? "that the testing of your faith might produce perseverance." (James 1:3)

This brings us to an age-old question: Why would I believe in or love a God who would allow me so much pain? He is trying to mold you! He is trying to produce steadfastness in you . . . to bring you to full maturity!

God WILL give us more than we can bear sometimes, because it forces us to rely on Him. It forces us to let go and realize WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE!

So don't believe the lie. If you do, it has great potential to destroy your faith the next time God tests it. And He will. Not because He is a big, mean guy upstairs. He is using tests to make you look more like Christ.

It's a good thing. Glorify Him.

(The thoughts of this blog come from a chapel message my husband, Matt, gave at Heritage Christian University)