Would God put more on you than you can bear?

Quick Answer: Would God put more on you than you can bear? While many believe that the Bible says God won’t give us more than we can handle, this actually isn’t what Scripture teaches. Sure, God won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). But it is clear that we will encounter circumstances in this world that are beyond what we can bear: “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). The reason God allows circumstances that are beyond our strength to endure is so that we can learn to depend on the indwelling life of Christ even more.

Diving Deeper: Many interpret 1 Corinthians 10:13 to mean that God will only let a certain amount of trouble enter into our lives. However, the passage is speaking of the temptation to sin, not earthly troubles. God promises to always guide us through temptation. He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what He will empower us to endure.

Still, Planet Earth will constantly come at us, and we are not immune to trouble. After all, we live in a fallen world, not Heaven. Inevitably, we will encounter circumstances in this world that are beyond what we can bear: “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

As Earth comes at us with flavors of hardship that are indeed beyond what we can bear, God promises to work within us and empower us to endure. But it is His strength, not ours. God promises His divine help in the midst of adversity (Psalm 34: 17-19; Hebrews 13:6). He promises to comfort us even when our circumstances are not changed (1 Peter 5:7). He also promises hope in the new covenant promises given to us through the finished work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 6:19).

Adversity in life will ultimately act to further reveal Christ within us (2 Corinthians 4:10). This treasure that exists within “jars of clay” (our fragile humanity) is revealed even more when we experience pain. So, God’s promise is not that our circumstances will change. No, God promises something deeper. He promises empowerment by the Spirit of Christ in the midst of all circumstances:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. True or False: God won’t allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear.
2. True or False: We sometimes experience troubles we can’t handle ourselves so that we learn to depend on Christ within us.
3. Read Philippians 4:13. How has this passage been misinterpreted, leading to unrealistic expectations of “success”? What does it really mean in context?