God’s Strength

It is often said that “God will never give us more than we can handle.” I was recently discussing this with someone and we agreed that this statement is not true—God definitely gives us more than we can handle. I used the example of physical growth: any time we grow even a millimeter, we push past the boundaries we previously knew. Likewise, we have to push past spiritual and emotional boundaries if we are to continue growing spiritually. However, recently, I realized that this statement is partially true, but not entirely accurate. Therefore, I revised it to say “God will never give us more than He can handle.” We can handle the situations that are handed to us, but only through God’s strength. The metaphor can also be changed to fit this new statement. We must have the proper nourishment to grow the way we need to (yes, this is usually the nasty food we don’t like at first). There are more appealing choices from the world, but they do not help us grow closer to God. God has provided that nourishment for us and reveals what proper spiritual nourishment we need through the Bible. Peter tells us to “crave pure, spiritual milk, so that…you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). Jesus says that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness…will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). We can see all throughout Scripture that our strength comes from God. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us according to Philippians 4:13. Psalm 121:2 tells us that our help comes from the Lord. God promises to always be with us and help us; we can see many biblical examples of this, especially in Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11:13-16 says that “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” We need to follow these examples and the example Jesus set for us in relying on God’s strength to carry us through the difficult times in life.

“For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.” Psalm 18:31-36