Will God give us more than we can handle?

A catchphrase

A catchphrase is a memorable phrase or expression that becomes strongly associated with a person, character, brand, or group. It is often repeated and easily recognized by others. Catchphrases are commonly used in advertising, TV shows, movies, and everyday speech.

For example:

• “Just do it.” – Nike
• “I’ll be back.” – The Terminator
• “How you doin’?” – Joey from Friends
• “May the Force be with you.” – Star Wars

Catchphrases can also be personal, like something someone always says that people recognize as their signature saying.

A Christian catchphrase

I have heard many people say that when facing complex and uncertain seasons of life, all will be alright because “God will not give them more than they can handle.” The mantra has been around in Christian circles for as long as I can remember, but is this what the Bible teaches? This common saying arises from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers.

1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us,

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

This verse teaches a powerful truth: as God’s children, we will never be faced with temptation (an enticement to sin, whether arising from our desires or outward circumstances) that can be overcome because God remains faithful — He always provides a way out (not to sin) so we can endure. We are never without hope or the ability to choose obedience over sin. This truth is a source of encouragement in our Christian journey. The prayer “Deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13) is one God answers.

Does the Bible teach us that God will not give us more than we can handle?

However, His promises do not mean we will never face hardships. This verse promises us that we do not have to give into sin when facing overwhelming situations but not that God will not allow us to experience more than we can handle. Jesus Himself warned, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33a).

Paul and his companions experienced intense trials as they spread the gospel. He recounts the following in 2 Corinthians 1:8–9a.

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. ⁹ In fact, we expected to die.

Paul lets his fellow believers know that they faced things greater than they could handle, so great that they expected to die. Whatever the situation Paul and his companions faced, they saw no way out in their own strength and efforts. We may ask why God let Paul and them face such extreme difficulties since they were taking the Good News of Jesus to unreached places and establishing local churches along the way.

We may ask our Heavenly Father the same question when facing persecution or rejection for our faith in His Son. We may wrestle with why we cannot shake a season of depression or come to a decision to forgive a wrong committed against us. We may find ourselves completely broken and helpless as we are unable to care for an aging parent like we would like or watch a loved one suffer while their life on this side of eternity draws near. The surprise of a layoff may have you at a loss for how you will provide for yourself and your family. The list and situations are endless; any of them could be more than you and I can handle in our own strength. Look at what Paul says in the rest of verse nine.

2 Corinthians 1:9

But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

Because God let Paul and his companions face more than they could handle, they stopped relying on themselves and learned to rely on God. While we will face hard times in this life, some of which will be too much for us to handle on our own, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33b). We are in Christ (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12) and through Him, we can do all things because He strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Paul then praises God for deliverance (verse 10) and acknowledges the power of the church’s prayers (verse 11). The LORD will allow us to encounter things heavier than our shoulders can bear so that we will humble ourselves and rely on Him. As we trust in Him to work in and through our hardships and He does what He can do, we are led to praise Him, the One who moves on behalf of His people who trust Him as manifested in prayer.

Adoniram Judson

Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), a missionary to Burma (modern-day Myanmar), Judson endured severe trials, including imprisonment and the death of his loved ones. He relied on God in extreme suffering and continued his mission work. While Judson faced extreme suffering, including imprisonment and the loss of his family, he frequently spoke of reliance on God. In one of his letters, he wrote:

“If I had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.”

Judson captures the heart of 2 Corinthians 1:9. He realized that his Sovereign Savior ordained every hardship he faced. This truth, along with His sustaining power and presence, allowed him to endure the many sufferings he experienced. God will give us more than we can handle on our own, but nothing is too great for us when we rely on Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

How do we end our prideful self-reliance and humbly trust in the Lord for victory?

Application Steps:

1. Recognize Your Limitations
   • Acknowledge that some trials will be too much for you to handle on your own.
   • Reflect on past experiences where your strength was insufficient.
2. Turn to God in Prayer
   • Bring your struggles before God daily.
   • Ask for His strength, wisdom, and guidance in difficult times.
   • Pray for deliverance, just as Paul encouraged believers to do (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).
3. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word
   • Meditate on Scriptures that reinforce reliance on God, such as Philippians 4:13 and John 16:33.
   • Use the Bible as a source of encouragement and instruction during hardships.
4. Seek Support from the Church Community
   • Share your burdens with fellow believers who can pray and encourage you.
   • Participate in small groups, Bible studies, or mentorship relationships.
5. Surrender Control to God
   • Actively choose to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
   • Remind yourself that He is sovereign and working for your good (Romans 8:28).
6. Praise God Amid Trials
   • Follow Paul’s example of praising God even during suffering (2 Corinthians 1:10).
   • Develop a habit of gratitude by focusing on God’s faithfulness.
7. Do the Next Right Thing
   • Instead of letting fear or self-reliance paralyze you, take steps of obedience as God leads.
   • Trust that He will provide the strength needed for each moment.

By following these steps, we shift from self-reliance to full dependence on God, experiencing His power and provision in our lives.