"God won't give you more than you can handle."

"God won't give you more than you can handle."

Friends, did you know that this statement is NOWHERE in the Bible? We’ve heard these words so many times that many of us begin to accept it as truth or assume it’s written somewhere in scripture, but it’s just not there. You can search cover to cover and you simply won't find it.

But you *will* find countless reminders of our weakness and God's strength. Countless reminders of just how much we need Jesus. Countless reminders that we can't do it on our own. That we are nothing apart from him. Countless reminders that God will help us through His strength.

In II Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul tells of the time he pleaded with God to take away the thing that ailed him. He then says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Praise God for this. When I battle fear, depression, doubt, grief--His strength is enough for me. I wasn't meant to "handle" it all on my own. I am nothing without Christ.

[You'll also find I Corinthians 10:13, which some may quote in reference to "God won't give you more than you can handle", but Paul's words are referring to temptation to sin, not pain. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.]