I Corinthians 10:13
As Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, it is quite encouraging to think that God “will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” Even though we may sometimes feel crushed by life’s challenges, there is always a way out. Nothing is too tough, or too hard for us to overcome. No trial or temptation is beyond us because God never gives us more than we can handle.
Except, sometimes He does.
II Corinthians 1:8-9
In another letter, to the same church, Paul writes, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure.” How could the same author, writing to the same church, say something so completely opposite of what he had said in his first letter? This question can seem puzzling, and even contradictory.
Paul says, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” What is the point? God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, as long as we rely on Him. If we stop relying on God, our lives would absolutely become “beyond what we can bear.” Therefore we must ask ourselves — when we are feeling crushed by life — are we relying on God to get us through, or are we relying on ourselves. Our lives are too much for us without God.
Secondly, though, we must ask ourselves, “If we can’t handle life without God, what can we handle with God?”
Philippians 4:13
Essentially, there is nothing we can’t do with God!
