Bumper Sticker Theology

“God never gives you more than you can handle.” How many of us have ever heard a phrase like that? It sounds comforting, right? After all, life can be tough; and when we experience devastation or difficult blows, well-meaning loved ones often try to comfort us with sympathetic eyes, a warm hug, and a familiar phrase.

But what does, “God won't give you more than you can handle” mean? It seems like what people are trying to communicate is, “You are strong. You’ve got this!” And it feels good to hear, doesn’t it? If God loves us, then as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, we believe that there is a set, God-ordained limit to our suffering. God knows when we’ve reached the pinnacle of what we can endure and will make it disappear.

But Scripture tells us something far different. From Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the woes of Job to the persecution of the prophets and the men and women in Christ’s early church, we know suffering is far more the rule than the exception. Only by drawing close to God and leaning on Him do God’s people ever see relief.

The truth is God never promises not to put more on us than we can handle, but He does promise to guide us through whatever we face. As we rest in God’s power, we find that we never receive more than God can handle. God’s grace is sufficient no matter what it is we face. He will meet all our needs.