“Dr. Dixie, people often say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”. If God knows we’re weak, why does He give us hard things to begin with?”
This statement is a misquotation of 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tested beyond what is possible to endure, but in the trial will provide the way of escape…” Misquoting this verse and taking it out of context, wrongly communicates that we can only hope God will stop allowing difficulties to pile up on us when He realizes we’re about to collapse; decreasing burdens at the last second so we won’t cave in. But since we all know people who have collapsed under the pressure, there’s really no assurance in the statement “God won’t give us more than we can handle.” So,whatdoes1Corinthians10:13mean? We must remember that God isn’t the originator of hard things. Sinful choices and the impact of original sin on God’s entire creation, produce difficult circumstances in life. Birth defects occur because genes and chromosomes are flawed and cannot produce flawless babies. Imperfect people do things imperfectly or carelessly; and machinery created by imperfect people malfunctions, causing injury and death. Disease is the result of living in a sin-infected world, in sin-weakened bodies.
If God “gives” or “allows” these things, why ask Him to remove them? If these are good gifts from a loving Father, why not just receive them, thank Him and accept as normal a life filled with pain, loss and inadequate provision? Why fight disease and poverty? Why pray, if our difficult circumstances are from God?
The first twelve verses of 1 Corinthians 10 describe the trials of the Israelites in their 40-year wilderness journey. This context determines that in verse 13, the word peirasmos, should be trial or test, not temptation. Paul says they failed the testing of their faith because they “passionately craved evil things.” (Wuest) They complained constantly; therefore “God was not pleased with the great majority of them.” God was at work in their journey to bring them to maturity and the fullness of the Promised Land. Their wrong response kept them in immaturity and lack.
Here are some practical truths from to be gained from 1 Corinthians 10:1-13: God is always trustworthy.
The satan uses hard times to tempt us to doubt God’s faithfulness.
God uses the hard times as an opportunity for us to examine our responses and growth; for the purpose of refinement and purification.
God will never leave His children alone in a test of any kind.
Every test has the potential for benefit and victory.
God deals with our ability to withstand the test.
We must deal with our willingness to trust God in the time of testing.
God promises to provide “a way to walk out” of each trial victoriously. Jesus is the Way; the road; the means (John 14:6). “In the world you have tribulation, trials, distress and frustration; but be cheerful, confident…undaunted! I have deprived the world of power to harm you. I have conquered it for you!” (John 16:33b) God knows far better than we do that we cannot “handle” anything on our own! But He guarantees His immediate and constant work in whatever situation we face. “Because God is a partner in their labor, all things are fitting into a plan for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Ministry through Infinite Grace teaches how to live through difficult times on the outside, and still experience peace on the inside. Call 580-774-2884 today for your personal appointment, or for more information on how you can be a part of this growing and essential ministry.
