Category: Compassion (Page 1 of 2)

Have you ever heard or repeated this phrase: God won’t give you more than you can bear?

Do you realize it’s a misrepresentation of Scripture? Life often gives us more than we can bear.

• The death of loved ones, especially a child, is more)
• The hopelessness of Alzheimer’s and Dementia is more)
• The pain and agony of severe illnesses is more)
• The lost job and inability to pay bills is more)
• The hurt and despair caused by unfaithful spouses is more)
• Coping with the suicide of a friend or loved one is more)
• Depression, bipolar issues, PTSD, trauma, drugs, all can be more)

This list scratches the surface of the numerous ways we may face more than we can bear on our own.

This misquote implies Suck it up; you got this; you don’t need help because God won’t give you more than you can bear. That’s not the intent of someone saying this; however, these words may spur the feeling that we should be able to “go it alone.”

It may prompt someone to reject others’ help when, in fact, God encourages us to come to Him in prayer, to lean on others, and to accept others’ love. (Unity!)

Scripture teaches us to rely on God, to pray for others, and to believe our prayers will be answered; it teaches us to bear one another’s burdens, to cast our burdens on Jesus, and to confess our sins to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Scripture also gives an example that even the Apostle Paul was burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that they despaired even of life. Why? So, they would NOT rely on themselves but rather rely on God. Paul also told the Church at Corinth and all the Saints in the whole of Achaia that they must help them by prayer. (see 2 Corinthians 1:1-11).

So, what’s this Scripture really about? It’s about sinful temptations and idols, not the struggles and difficulties we suffer in everyday life, but rather the temptations to sin that come our way and the escape from temptation God will supply.

Here is the Scripture-

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Remember: Satan is the evil one; God is good, and all things good come from God!

JAMES 1:13“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.”

The caregiver of a spouse with Alzheimer’s asked me to address this misquote of Scripture, as it has been stated to them repeatedly. Consider that, amid their overwhelming daily challenges, someone tells them, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” It’s disturbing and not helpful.

I am very attuned to the challenges of an Alzheimer’s caregiver and understand the irritation this statement implies. It reminded me that when my family lost our Grandson in 2015, this was said to us, prompting unnecessary discussion during a difficult time.

We understand the ignorance behind someone using these words, and we give credit to the “intent of heart,” which is why we are mum about the expression when it’s used.

I hope that bringing attention to this subject will encourage anyone who uses this misquote to recognize its unintended implications, pause, and try to stop repeating it.

Written In Love,

• Philippians 6:2
• Galatians 6:2
• 2 Corinthians 1:8
• 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
• James 5:16
• Galatians 6:2
• James 2:14-18
• 1 John 3:17-18
• Mark 12:31
• 1 Peter 3:8-9

God First!