Trials. We all go through them. Whether your spouse just cheated on you, you lost a loved one, your friends back-stabbed you, you feel lonely, your health is beating you, or whatever it may be, we all go through things that weigh on us and make us feel like we can't go on.
It is commonly believed and stated that God will not "give us more than we can handle" or that He will not put us through "more than we can take." However, that concept is actually not Biblical. The idea is a misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." Here, Paul is writing about TEMPTATIONS. These are temptations to sin, etc. Often, it has been interpreted that God will not TEST us or bring us through TRIALS that are more than we can bear. It is true that we will not be tempted to sin beyond what we can resist. But the idea that we we will not go through trials that are more than we can take is actually not Biblical.
In fact, it is very Biblical that God will allow us to be tested -- to go through very difficult times -- in order to teach us to rely on Him. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Paul writes about how God is a God of comfort, there for us to lean on in times of affliction. Notice in verses 8-10, Paul was certainly tested beyond his strength: "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened BEYOND OUR STRENGTH that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of DEATH. But that was to MAKE US RELY not on ourselves, but on GOD who raises the dead."
I am writing all of this out of concern. Because of the common misconception that God will not give us more than we can bear, many people leave the faith. They feel that they HAVE been given more than they can handle, and they begin to feel that God is a liar or that Christianity is a big hoax. Whatever you're going through, I'm sure, is not easy. I am not claiming to understand or to know how you are feeling. But I will say that I have, at times, felt like I couldn't handle some of the pain I've felt in my past. That's when I have learned to rely on the God of comfort.
The amazing thing about all of it is that it is these times of weakness -- the times when we feel like we will not survive if things get any worse -- that God's power is most capable of being seen. Our weakness gives God a stage to work in our lives. Paul experienced worse things than I've ever experienced. He had a thorn in the flesh that kept him down consistently, and he begged God three times to remove it. God's response is a resounding comfort to all who face trials of various kinds (see James 1 -- a great book to read when facing trials). God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:8-9.
There are times in our lives when we pray earnestly for things, and God's answer is "No." It is hard for us to understand why. I don't understand everything about why God says "no" to us. But I do know that I've seen Him say "no" to me in my past, I've seen Him say "no" to my husband in His past, and we are better people today for that. At the time that He says "no," it can feel like the world is coming to an end. The idea that there could be something better is unfathomable to us. But someday, we can look back at times that God said "no" and we can see more clearly what God was teaching us when He denied us the one thing we felt we so desperately needed. He may say "no" because He has something greater in store for us. He may say "no" to teach us patience. He may say "no" to teach us to rely on Him and not on ourselves. I don't know all of the reasons He says "no," but I do know that trials can be a little less painful if we can somehow learn how to trust Him when He does say "no." He has the full picture of our lives, while we can only see a tiny glimpse. And He knows how best to answer our prayers, even when we don't always see it ourselves.
Whoever you are, and whatever your trial, you are in my prayers as you struggle to trust God in these difficult times. Don't give up on Him. Don't run from Him. Instead, lean on Him and rely on Him. Rest in His arms.
**I thank my husband for enlightening me on many of these truths. I would not be capable of writing on this topic if it had not been for the love of my life. :)
