For as long as I can remember, I've heard, "God won't give you more than you can bear." I think this may be the greatest misconception, the most misquoted scripture in the Bible. It's taken from 1 Corinthians 10:13, but it says ". . . he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." It says nothing about daily struggles and crises. Facing sin and overcoming temptation is different than coping with life's heartbreaks.
There have been many times that God has given me more than I can bear. And working with hospice, I am continually aware of patients and families who have more than they can bear. They face a raging storm that they can't withstand alone.
What about the lady who is caring for her mother with end-stage Alzheimer's and finds out her husband has a glioblastoma, an aggressive, malignant brain tumor? Or the man whose son is dying of leukemia just months after his wife was killed in a car wreck? Do you think they feel they have been given more than they can bear? Single moms, bankrupted businessmen, broken marriages . . . more than they can bear? I think so.
Thankfully, I've got some good news. God never intended us to bear our stress, our problems, our heartbreaks. David understood this as he wrote, "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:10. Jesus, himself, implores us to give him our worries. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30.
My prayer isn't for strength to make it through the trial but
strength to give it to God and trust him to handle things for me. Isn't that what a loving father does?
Whatever you are facing today, I encourage you to trust God. Don't waste your energy trying to muster enough strength to face your crisis alone. Give it to your Father. Let him carry your burden . . . let him carry you.
Before long, you will discover that He has carried you through the storm. He will give you rest. He will give you peace. He will give you joy. Soon you will find that you are free . . . free of your burden, free from the pain. Free to dance and enjoy His presence.
You could have been writing this for me alone. I needed to hear this and to be reminded that my troubles are small compared to what others face. Thanks for the ray of sunshine! :-)
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this sharing. I have been extremely overwhelmed with the 24/7 care of my invalid father. I know of what you are speaking. Couldn't make it without my relationship with the Lord. It is so much bigger than me. The Lord has to carry it and me.
Thank you for visiting my place today. I admire you ability to work with hospice. I've had some experience with hospice and been there with family towards the end. It is something I could not do full-time.
God bless you - for being there!
Patrina <")>><
As always... you've touched my heart ♥‿♥
ReplyDelete~Tamara
Beautifully written Susan!
ReplyDeleteThere have certainly been times in my life that I have gone through situations that I thought were more than I could bear alone. But I believe that it's in those times that we realize our full dependency on God and rely on our faith and trust in Him.
Blessings and hugs! :)
Denise
Beautiful, heart-touching post. I think I'll see your photos when I'm in the middle of a battle.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela
Susan,
ReplyDeleteThis a beautiful post and so true. My women's Bible study was just talking about this very thing last night. I love when I get through a storm and look back and realize that He carried me all the way!
Blessings,
~Erin
Susan, I think when a christian might use the words God promises to not put more on us than we can bear means not more than we bear with His help....It wouldn't take much for me to not be able to bear but with His help I know He will get me through anything He allows to touch me that comes through His hand of love......
ReplyDeleteI really don't know how anyone gets through life's hurts and pain without Him....without turning to things that only make life more miserable..
Thank you for all of your encouragement.....
That's a great point, Nancy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these words, Susan. Clarity not only helps me to remember what it means, but clarity clears my head of untruth. God's Truth is all I need.
ReplyDeleteAnd so glad you visited me today or I would not have checked in with you.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
What a healthy perspective on an oft-misunderstood promise. I know from my own experience there have been times in my life I thought death would be preferable to the pain of a season. Today I rejoice in His faithfulness, knowing with certainty that the best is always yet to come!
ReplyDelete