1st Cor. 10:13 doesn’t say that!

Grrr, I heard it again today. A mature Christian, someone with pretty good Biblical knowledge said, “God won’t give me more than I can handle. It’s says so right there in 1st Corinthians 10:13.” Grrrrrr.

1st Corinthians 10:13 does NOT say that!!! Those verses are saying that God won’t allow us to be tempted to do wrong beyond what we are able to handle. He will always give us a way out. That is far different than saying He won’t allow in my life more trouble, grief, sadness, tragedy etc. than I can handle.

In fact, God frequently allows more loss and despair than we can handle. He does it on purpose because that is when we call out to Him. That is what drives us to Him. The very fact that we are calling out to Him proves that we are, in fact, in over our heads.

Now, in reality, two things need to be noted. Those who are mature in faith are in constant communication with their Creator; in good times AND in bad; coping well or in desperate straights. And for those who are growing in their relationship with their Creator, He does in fact give them victory over anything that He may allow to come into their lives. In all things, “We are more than conquerors.” Those things are true - within that context He doesn't give us more than we can handle with HIs help. But the verses describing our relationship with God and our victory over life are talking about something other than what 1st Cor. 10:13 is taking about.