Over the last year my family has faced the loss of loved ones; the celebration of graduation; health scares; deteriorating health; job challenges; the list could go on, but you certainly understand. You've been there too. You might have faced worse or even better. I pray that 2017 was everything you hoped it would be and 2018 holds as much greatness for you as you anticipate.
Now, here is where I hit you with some reality and some thought provoking. What is your first thought when hardships hit? What about tragedy? How about the loss of a loved one when you expect it due to health? Every situation probably comes with its own set of emotions. I know that my state of mind is fairly broad when it comes to these situations. At the end of 2016 that emotion was heartbreak after the first thought of, "Damn." In 2014, when tragedy hit my hometown I was overcome with fear and confusion followed by that same word, "Damn." In 2011 there was fear and a sense of helplessness. Last year saw two family members with health scares. Both times I was calm. I knew age was and is catching up to those I love. None of these instances were easy; the emotions were valid no matter which end of the spectrum I found myself on.
When you discuss those emotions with your circle of family and friends, what words of support do they provide? I hope they cry with you. I hope they hug you. I pray they don't turn and run (which I do know happens). But, there is one line that I hear all the time that I want to focus on. It is a line that seems true when said and is meant in comfort. However, I can find no confirmation of its validity. I say this knowing I might be run out of churches and lose friends or considered to be losing my faith. Before that happens, hear me out. The line, "God will never give you more than you can handle." I find this line cheap, insincere and unscriptural.
Go ahead, tell me I've lost my faith. Question what scripture I've been reading. Then, show me where is scripture it tells us God gives us just enough to bend but not break. If you can show me, then I'll accept that phrase at face value. Rest assured though you will fail.
Case studies for my belief in the falsehood of the statement. 1) Job: He lost his family; his wealth; his home; his friends told him God hated him and then left him; his health deteriorated; he was a shadow of himself. I am sold on the fact he had a hard time handling this hardship. 2) Moses: He wandered the land for a few years (40 to be close to exact). He lead a nations people after arguing with God. 3) John: Imprisoned; sent to Patmos to live as an exile; given dreams he never asked for (at least as I believe). All three men loved by God. I don't think they thought they could handle what was dealt to them. All of them probably questioned what was happening. I wouldn't find it hard to imagine them doubting God's presence or his love of them. I also think they all wanted to have their Bruce Almighty moment - you know, the one in the beginning when he yells at God, "Smite me or mighty smiter!" But, with all these instances, I don't see once where God allowed the trials to be easy.
What I do believe is that God allows for our hardships to be just that. They are hard. They should make you question things. I believe it's okay to even give God that big ole fist and say, "What the hell are you doing?!?!?" That belief is based on the fact that without that, we aren't learning how to trust him. He wants us to cast our cares on him. He wants us to talk to him about our feelings. He wants us to get frustrated with our plights. Most importantly, he desires us to get out of our own way and allow him to handle what we can't. Why? Because, we're not God. We can't part a sea. We can't walk on water. We can't cause walls to fall with our own strength. We just aren't that big.
So please, show me where the Bible says God won't give us more than we can handle. If you find that, then you'll also find where God wants us to do things on our own without him. You'll see where he makes us little gods ourselves; and where Lucifer wasn't kicked out of Heaven.
When 2018 begins to give you a few lemons, go ahead, ask God to give you lemonade. When you start seeing a loved ones health fade, know that God will comfort you. If cancer begins to take over your body go ahead and wonder why; ask God, "What the hell are you doing?" Get mad! But, never feel as if you have to go at life alone. God allows more than you can handle, simply so you can learn to lean on him more.
When you discuss those emotions with your circle of family and friends, what words of support do they provide? I hope they cry with you. I hope they hug you. I pray they don't turn and run (which I do know happens). But, there is one line that I hear all the time that I want to focus on. It is a line that seems true when said and is meant in comfort. However, I can find no confirmation of its validity. I say this knowing I might be run out of churches and lose friends or considered to be losing my faith. Before that happens, hear me out. The line, "God will never give you more than you can handle." I find this line cheap, insincere and unscriptural.
Go ahead, tell me I've lost my faith. Question what scripture I've been reading. Then, show me where is scripture it tells us God gives us just enough to bend but not break. If you can show me, then I'll accept that phrase at face value. Rest assured though you will fail.
Case studies for my belief in the falsehood of the statement. 1) Job: He lost his family; his wealth; his home; his friends told him God hated him and then left him; his health deteriorated; he was a shadow of himself. I am sold on the fact he had a hard time handling this hardship. 2) Moses: He wandered the land for a few years (40 to be close to exact). He lead a nations people after arguing with God. 3) John: Imprisoned; sent to Patmos to live as an exile; given dreams he never asked for (at least as I believe). All three men loved by God. I don't think they thought they could handle what was dealt to them. All of them probably questioned what was happening. I wouldn't find it hard to imagine them doubting God's presence or his love of them. I also think they all wanted to have their Bruce Almighty moment - you know, the one in the beginning when he yells at God, "Smite me or mighty smiter!" But, with all these instances, I don't see once where God allowed the trials to be easy.
What I do believe is that God allows for our hardships to be just that. They are hard. They should make you question things. I believe it's okay to even give God that big ole fist and say, "What the hell are you doing?!?!?" That belief is based on the fact that without that, we aren't learning how to trust him. He wants us to cast our cares on him. He wants us to talk to him about our feelings. He wants us to get frustrated with our plights. Most importantly, he desires us to get out of our own way and allow him to handle what we can't. Why? Because, we're not God. We can't part a sea. We can't walk on water. We can't cause walls to fall with our own strength. We just aren't that big.
So please, show me where the Bible says God won't give us more than we can handle. If you find that, then you'll also find where God wants us to do things on our own without him. You'll see where he makes us little gods ourselves; and where Lucifer wasn't kicked out of Heaven.
When 2018 begins to give you a few lemons, go ahead, ask God to give you lemonade. When you start seeing a loved ones health fade, know that God will comfort you. If cancer begins to take over your body go ahead and wonder why; ask God, "What the hell are you doing?" Get mad! But, never feel as if you have to go at life alone. God allows more than you can handle, simply so you can learn to lean on him more.
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