God will give you more than you can handle

The title of this blog post is God will give you more than you can handle: I guarantee it. It was written by Kayla Lemmon in 2014 and was shared on the Facebook page Getting Your Breath Back...
This is most of the post with some things left out here and there since I had to copy it down by hand-I couldn't print it out for some reason.

All my life, I've heard this phrase whenever I go through a rough patch. *And by rough patch, I mean a prickly, gnarly patch that leaves me bleeding to near death.* You're probably familiar with those kinds of patches.

"God will never give you more than you can handle" is the phrase I'm referring to.

And it's a great sentiment, really. The people who say it are speaking from caring and concerned hearts.

BUT-it isn't true.

I know that sounds harsh, but I promise I haven't suddenly lost my mind or have become an angry-with-God bitter woman who hates the world. Actually, when I realized the simple fact that God can -and will- give us more than we can possibly bear, it got easier.

And it all started to make more sense.

I've often trudged through trials that overwhelm me. Ever since my childhood there have been trials that have made me "grow up" pretty fast. But granted, I know for a fact you've had your own fair share too, because that's the reality of life. But this last time is the one that shook me to my core and had me searching like a mad woman for answers as to why it was happening and how I could possibly even survive it.

(Her dad died from cancer).

...It's beyond missing him. And even with a firm testimony of the gospel and with peace that he is exactly where the Lord prepared him for, it is still too much for me to handle at times. It steals my breath - and it can steal my joy.

So, the other day, I turned to the Scriptures. I needed help.

I wanted to know where that phrase was that people kept repeating to me in church and at work and over the phone. Why did the Lord "trust me so much?" Why did He think I could handle these kinds of trials?

And then I realized: I couldn't find that quote because it wasn't there.

It never mentions anywhere in the Scriptures that the Lord won't give you more than you can handle. Yes, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it speaks of Him giving us an escape from temptations so that it's not too much to bear. But when it comes to pain, trials, heartache, and burdens - not once does it say it won't be more than we can bear. Instead, it beautifully says this instead:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me...for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30

The words struck my heart, as you can imagine. Christ is speaking to those of us who are carrying burdens much too heavy for our own shoulders. And in that one verse He simply states the reason why we are given more than we can handle. It's so we can come to Him. It's so we can trust Him enough to hand over our heavy, crippling burdens and let Him carry the load.

You might be heavy laden right now like I was before reading and re-reading and re-reading once again this Scripture that has never stuck out to me as much as it has lately.

You might be shrunken with sadness,...And chances are - you might need your Redeemer to find you on the path and take up that heavy cross you're dragging. Besides, even He tells us He's more equipped to carry it, so why not hand it over?

I've come to learn -slowly but surely- why I need Him.

I suppose it's because of pride that I always thought I could just do things on my own. I'm strong, I'd say. I'm a tough cookie. I can help others through their tribulations while carrying mine all by myself. Well - wasn't I wrong.

I didn't really know what needing Him meant until I had no other choice. I didn't know what it meant until I wrapped my arms around my middle so I wouldn't fall apart - or the time I choked on tears and yelled toward Heaven. Or the times when I was utterly alone, and the silence was too much to bear. Those are the times that taught me He's not just a want or a convenient symbol of love or a reason to do good deeds.

No, He's the very air we breathe.

And He's the only one who can make it bearable when life is simply anything but.