Ole Ernest hears people comfort other people who are struggling with sickness and burdens by telling them God will not give you more than you can handle . The notion “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is a flat out misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The verse actually states, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape.
Some say that the Greek word for “temptation” in this verse can refer to suffering, sin, or a trial. They say that this verse doesn’t mean that God will never give us more than we can handle, but rather that God will always be with us during suffering and trials. That part is true- God is always there for believers, but the idea God limits man’s suffering to only what they can endure is not a Biblical principle.
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul describes how he and his companions were so burdened by their circumstances that they felt they had received a sentence of death. Paul says that God gave them this suffering so that they would rely on God instead of themselves.
God does demand more of us than we are able to do. He requires absolute holiness- man is unholy. He demands absolute righteousness- man is unrighteousness. He demands sacrifice and service and man is selfish and lazy. The list goes on and on. What God does provide is the answer- His Son who gave His life so man can be holy, righteous through Christ. What He demanded from man on Mt. Sinai, he gave to him on Mt. Calvary!
The next time someone tells you that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle, correct them. That statement is works based and it gets ole Ernest Lee’s hackles up!
Ernest Lee Contendin 