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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
More Than We Can Handle
I often hear the comment, "God only gives us what we can handle" used to encourage people going through difficult times or dealing with a difficult child or stressful circumstances. I've probably said it myself more than once. I always thought of it as a paraphrase of Paul's statement to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ...". But as I heard that said a couple of times recently I realized just how inaccurate that statement is. For a Christ-follower, to believe that is to miss the truth. That's why this statement is so powerful: it sounds like truth and is almost true.
But real, Biblical Truth is that we cannot handle anything. Unless we are dependent on God, we miss out on the joy, the freedom, the encouragement that He promises. Sure, people accomplish things without God. People live successful lives, handle difficult circumstances. But something is missing. And for a Christ-follower, that something is everything. Because to say "God only give me what I can handle" makes it about me. It says, "I see God as a distant, uninvolved being who directs things and sits back to watch." It is to neglect the Truth from God's Word that He is actively involved in our daily lives and WANTS us to depend on Him. What Paul's letter states is, "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH. On our own, we can handle nothing; it is through our dependence on Him that we are given SALVATION, HOPE for the future, ABUNDANT patience with our children, PEACE in the midst of difficulty, CLARITY and PURPOSE in our decisions. Sure, some of these things we can "handle" but those qualities that are capitalized are missing -- the abundant life Jesus promises His disciples.
It is so easy to use platitudes that sound good and encouraging. I've been challenged to really think through these sayings and make sure what I say conveys full Truth and not partial truth or what sounds good. I hope you are encouraged as well!
But real, Biblical Truth is that we cannot handle anything. Unless we are dependent on God, we miss out on the joy, the freedom, the encouragement that He promises. Sure, people accomplish things without God. People live successful lives, handle difficult circumstances. But something is missing. And for a Christ-follower, that something is everything. Because to say "God only give me what I can handle" makes it about me. It says, "I see God as a distant, uninvolved being who directs things and sits back to watch." It is to neglect the Truth from God's Word that He is actively involved in our daily lives and WANTS us to depend on Him. What Paul's letter states is, "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH. On our own, we can handle nothing; it is through our dependence on Him that we are given SALVATION, HOPE for the future, ABUNDANT patience with our children, PEACE in the midst of difficulty, CLARITY and PURPOSE in our decisions. Sure, some of these things we can "handle" but those qualities that are capitalized are missing -- the abundant life Jesus promises His disciples.
It is so easy to use platitudes that sound good and encouraging. I've been challenged to really think through these sayings and make sure what I say conveys full Truth and not partial truth or what sounds good. I hope you are encouraged as well!
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