Do u think God gives u more than u can bear at times?

[whatevergirl]

I have always been intrigued by the statement …God will not give you more than you can bear.

Do you believe that?

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

I think that’s based on 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”

I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I think that sometimes we take on more than we can handle for ourselves. For example, I can put myself in a near occasion of sin, and I shouldn’t blame God when I get into trouble for putting myself into a compromising situation. Or I can decide that I want to fast on bread and water for a year, but that might not be what God wants me to be doing, and so I might not have the strength for it.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

True - But He has a very high opinion of our capabilities.

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

True - But He has a very high opinion of our capabilities.

I’m reminded of a quotation from Mother Theresa: “God will never give us more than we can handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I’ve always wondered about that myself – if God never gives us more than we can bear, then why are there nervous breakdowns and suicides? And these sometimes come just from what life hands people, not from what they take upon themselves.

 

[whatevergirl]

I think that’s based on 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”

I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I think that sometimes we take on more than we can handle for ourselves. For example, I can put myself in a near occasion of sin, and I shouldn’t blame God when I get into trouble for putting myself into a compromising situation. Or I can decide that I want to fast on bread and water for a year, but that might not be what God wants me to be doing, and so I might not have the strength for it.

those are good examples. Ok…obviously I posted this for a reason. I feel that moving to FL is God’s will, but I feel like I’m being tested…like my strength is waning. So…not sure what to make of that. ~sigh~

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ve always wondered about that myself – if God never gives us more than we can bear, then why are there nervous breakdowns and suicides? And these sometimes come just from what life hands people, not from what they take upon themselves.

EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS. I was thinking about things today…how I’m feeling overwhelmed with life…with moving here…with my kids starting school…with my kids refusal to go outside and make new friends…with my husband looking for work…with my job…and that popped into my head…why are there suicides if God isn’t giving people too much? (although, the answers to this could be that they are mentally ill…depressed, etc…things beyond their control)

 

[whatevergirl]

I feel like I have been dealt my fair share of ‘stuff.’ I lost my parents as a kid…I think I have fulfilled my quota. Why can’t things go a little easy for a while?

 

[childofmary1143]

Mother Theresa said the following about this:

“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much!!!”

 

[Katie1723]

Is this one of those rhetorical questions??? I am not sure there is a real answer. But like Pa Walton once said " I don’t mind working by the sweat of my brow. I just wish there was a little less sweat"

Kathy

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

I’ve always wondered about that myself – if God never gives us more than we can bear, then why are there nervous breakdowns and suicides? And these sometimes come just from what life hands people, not from what they take upon themselves.

Those things are a mystery to me, too, and they are things I think about fairly often (for reasons I’d prefer not to share in a public forum). Right now, the best answer I can come up with is that in a fallen world, life will sometimes hand us things that God doesn’t hand us, like messed up brain chemistry. There’s still the mystery of why God allows that to happen, though, especially in situations where that does become overwhelming.

 

[whatevergirl]

Those things are a mystery to me, too, and they are things I think about fairly often (for reasons I’d prefer not to share in a public forum). Right now, the best answer I can come up with is that in a fallen world, life will sometimes hand us things that God doesn’t hand us, like messed up brain chemistry. There’s still the mystery of why God allows that to happen, though, especially in situations where that does become overwhelming.

now, that’s true…the fallen world concept. That is different, than perhaps just feeling downtrodden. I know we shouldn’t be downtrodden…and when I pray, my spirits are lifted. Is it wrong to question God about this? Maybe He will think I’m lacking gratitude…and I’m not, I just am tired of the status quo of a particular situation in my life. (He knows what it is) I just wish that things happened in ‘Sharon time,’ as my dh says.

I fear loss…because I suffered it as a kid…and so, I just feel like I’m always going to have to face it. If God knows this about me, why doesn’t He make situations a little easier on me, so I don’t have to fear loss as often as I do? I feel like I’m always in situations where fearing loss is …right there.

My husband said…‘you haven’t passed the test yet, then.’
whatever

How do I know when something is a test of God, or a temptation to be angry with God–which is a tool of the devil?

 

[kage_ar]

I think that’s based on 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”

I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I think that sometimes we take on more than we can handle for ourselves. For example, I can put myself in a near occasion of sin, and I shouldn’t blame God when I get into trouble for putting myself into a compromising situation. Or I can decide that I want to fast on bread and water for a year, but that might not be what God wants me to be doing, and so I might not have the strength for it.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

The amazing thing, even when we take on more than we can handle, God will give us strength to make it through - we may still have to face the consequences, but, He is with us!

You just moved - that is a big deal. Feeling overwhelmed is natural. Take a deep breath and say “it is all in your hands”. Really give it to Christ - put it in His hands.

It will take time for you kids to adjust. Give them some time to just hang with Dad for now. Once they are in school, they will make friends and those friends will be over eating you out of house and home

Gonna give you a work analogy - you have an employee who is in charge of an important project. They volunteered, and you had some doubts, but, you put them in charge. The day before it is due, they come to you and the presentation is not quite right, the data is there but not organized. They say “I just got overwhelmed, and I don’t know what to do.” As a caring manager, you would order a pizza, roll up your sleeves and help them get it done. How much more is God, our loving Father, going to help us when we have bitten off a big bite and start to panic about it?

 

[Eileen_T]

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger. "

Many times in earlier years I often struggled under the burden and felt I couldn’t cope much longer.

One day something amazing happened. I decided to stop worrying and believe what Jesus said on the Mount was to be taken as a literal truth.

Matthew 6:33-34 sums it up rather nicely I think, **Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. **

Once I took this passage to heart and trusted in God’s Providence I learned to believe that I would come out of any trouble a stronger and wiser person.

Here is just one example:
I have lost five babies; one a newborn, one ectopic and 3 miscarriages. Many years later I became a crisis pregnancy and post abortion counsellor. The list is endless.

I thank God every day for all He has given me. The good things and the bad. First thing I do every morning when I wake up.

 

[whatevergirl]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

The amazing thing, even when we take on more than we can handle, God will give us strength to make it through - we may still have to face the consequences, but, He is with us!

You just moved - that is a big deal. Feeling overwhelmed is natural. Take a deep breath and say “it is all in your hands”. Really give it to Christ - put it in His hands.

It will take time for you kids to adjust. Give them some time to just hang with Dad for now. Once they are in school, they will make friends and those friends will be over eating you out of house and home

Gonna give you a work analogy - you have an employee who is in charge of an important project. They volunteered, and you had some doubts, but, you put them in charge. The day before it is due, they come to you and the presentation is not quite right, the data is there but not organized. They say “I just got overwhelmed, and I don’t know what to do.” As a caring manager, you would order a pizza, roll up your sleeves and help them get it done. How much more is God, our loving Father, going to help us when we have bitten off a big bite and start to panic about it?

ok, where’s the pizza?

I like your analogy…it is helpful. I don’t like being the one working, and my husband is at home…this is not how I or he grew up…I know he is looking for work, and this has been a short time, but I’m just being honest. It places me in a pressure situation–where I have to face that fear of loss thing I told you about above. Why am I always in situations like this? My husband said that he will find work…(he has a good resume–I shouldn’t be worried) so…why am I worrying like this? I don’t know the answer, sadly.

 

[whatevergirl]

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger. "

Many times in earlier years I often struggled under the burden and felt I couldn’t cope much longer.

One day something amazing happened. I decided to stop worrying and believe what Jesus said on the Mount was to be taken as a literal truth.

Matthew 6:33-34 sums it up rather nicely I think, **Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. **

Once I took this passage to heart and trusted in God’s Providence I learned to believe that I would come out of any trouble a stronger and wiser person.

Here is just one example:
I have lost five babies; one a newborn, one ectopic and 3 miscarriages. Many years later I became a crisis pregnancy and post abortion counsellor. The list is endless.

I thank God every day for all He has given me. The good things and the bad. First thing I do every morning when I wake up.

that is a powerful testimony…thank you for sharing this. I have thanked God…and do so as well, daily. I even recite that prayer in the morning…‘please help me to seek your kingdom and all of its righteousness.’ I am very blessed…and know this, but I still feel overwhelmed…more so than my husband does. That is the partially the problem. This thread is turning into a rant…sorry about that.

I am signing off…going to say the Rosary and perhaps I will gain some insight from Mary.

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

ok, where’s the pizza?

I like your analogy…it is helpful. I don’t like being the one working, and my husband is at home…this is not how I or he grew up…I know he is looking for work, and this has been a short time, but I’m just being honest. It places me in a pressure situation–where I have to face that fear of loss thing I told you about above. Why am I always in situations like this? My husband said that he will find work…(he has a good resume–I shouldn’t be worried) so…why am I worrying like this? I don’t know the answer, sadly.

Have you ever considered maybe seeking some counseling to help you with the fear of loss? If you lost your parents as a kid, that’s something that could easily leave deep emotional scars that won’t go away on their own.

 

[whatevergirl]

Have you ever considered maybe seeking some counseling to help you with the fear of loss? If you lost your parents as a kid, that’s something that could easily leave deep emotional scars that won’t go away on their own.

I know where they resinate from…partially from Christian counseling…partially through prayer. And surrendering to God…but, I must say…whenever I am faced with a ‘loss type’ situation…I get a headache, and I think I have a brain tumor…I have this new promotion, and I will screw it up and lose it…my husband will never find work again…my kids will not make friends…

other times…I can be very positive, but when the loss thinking sets in…it’s like taking a paintbrush against a barren canvas and just…eh hem…mucking it up.

 

[jc-servant]

I’ve always wondered about that myself – if God never gives us more than we can bear, then why are there nervous breakdowns and suicides? And these sometimes come just from what life hands people, not from what they take upon themselves.

I think that I understood the quote incorrectly for many years. I used to think it meant that God gives us no more than we can handle, but I now believe that it is not more than we can handle while resting in Him. Huge difference.

Many people have breakdowns, etc while trying to handle a situation on their own rather than giving it over to God. I think about all of the saints who endured far worse than we ever get in most of our lives and even my own friends who have survived horrible things in their lives or who are bearing up under them currently with faith. The common factor is that they have really given things to God rather than relying on themselves.

I believe that death itself cannot defeat us if we fully trust in God, but we often allow lesser trials to defeat us because we refuse to fully give it to the Lord. I used to be held up by my pride and suffer accordingly. I’m still working on letting go and letting God handle things, so I know it is far from easy. However, I feel a lot more at peace now even though I have some major things happening including a loved one with a terminal illness.

I had a medical emergency a couple of years ago when I thought that I might die before I could call for EMS. I realized after that situation that I have changed a lot from years ago when I would have been all panicky and afraid because I was not in control of the situation. Instead, I prayed through intense pain and God allowed me to stay focused and conscious long enough to turn off the alarm, unlock the door and call 911. I was even able to offer up that horrible pain before passing out. I was at peace because I knew that my suffering was not in vain even if I died right there. I think that is what the saying is about rather than us just being all tough and handling everything on our own.

 

[DaveBj]

I am reminded of a story I heard Fr. Corapi tell about St. Theresa of Avila. It seems she was traveling somewhere in bad weather, and a wheel came off her carriage and dropped her in a ditch, or some such thing. According to the story, she looked up and said, “Lord, if this is how You treat Your friends, it is no wonder You have so few of them.”

Sometimes (like when I’ve dropped the same item three times in 15 seconds) I pray, “Lord, are You having fun with me again? Don’t You have better things to do, like running the universe?”