I can Handle It

Is there anything too hard for the LORD?  Genesis 18:14a 

Ah Lord God!  behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:  Jeremiah 32:17

A friend of mine came up to me at church the other day and shared with me all the difficulties of her past week.  When she was done filling me in on all of her trials, she said, "But God won't give me anything I can't handle."  I smiled at her and said, "Yes, He will."  I think my response confused her, because she said, "I said, God won't give me anything I can't handle."  I looked at her again as well and said, "Yes, He will."  I could see her countenance change.  I think she was getting a little irritated at me, so she said it one more time a little bit louder as if I wasn't quite hearing her correctly and more convincingly, she stated, "God won't give me anything I can't handle! " Finally, I said, "Yes, He will, because if I can handle my problems, there is no need for God." She kindly patted my hand and said, "It's ok to disagree" and walked away.

I know what verse she was referring to when she quoted this popular adage:  "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

But this verse isn't telling us that God won't ever give us anything we can't handle, it's telling us that we will always have a way, when tempted, to escape sin.  

When Moses and the Israelites came upon the Red Sea, Exodus 14:15a says, And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me?

Moses was in a situation that was too hard for him to handle!  He had to cry out to God for help!

When a young shepherd boy armed with a sling and 5 smooth stones faced down a giant weighed down with armor and sword, did he say, "Don't worry God, I've got this!?"  No!  David cried out, "But I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel!"  (1 Samuel 17:45)

And what about Peter?  He was chained up between two watchmen, sleeping and bound in chains in prison.  Do you think he was taking a nap because he knew he'd get out of this predicament by his own ability?  No!  Peter was sleeping in shackles because He knew His God was able to deliver him!  And God did.  (Acts 12:6-7) 

God is not impressed with our own ability and strength.  God wants us to rely on His.  God will allow trials too big for our shoulders to carry, because He wants us to place our burdens and cares on Him to carry.  "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

God wants us to call upon Him.  "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."  Psalm 50:15

There will be times in our lives when we go through a situation we cannot handle on our own.  Just ask the Apostle Paul, he did.  "...that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life."  2 Corinthians 1:8

BUT GOD.

    He is waiting for you to ask Him for His help, and He will answer.

        I never want to rely on self to get me through anything.

            I want to rely on God, so that I can give Him the honour and glory He alone deserves.

                But that's just me!

"At the end of oneself is the best place to discover the Lord at work."  Robin Lee Hatcher

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:21-26