Given more than you can handle?
July 28, 2010Is God in the business of making mischief in the lives of his people? I don’t think so, but I’ve heard what some people have to say and, as odd as it sounds, I can see where one could easily be led to that conclusion. I recall some of the melodramatic imagery in the old Edna Massimilla poem: “A meeting was held quite far from Earth. It’s time again for another birth…” God and the angels are pictured in, apparently, a committee to determine which very special family will be a perfect fit for a child with a disability (Heaven’s Very Special Child). No disrespect to Edna, but I’m not convinced.
One of our First Conversation writers, Erin Coss, has a more eloquent (if not more realistic and scripturally sound) take. From page 60:
Then there was the oh so famous saying “The Lord will never give you more than you can handle.” People would quote this to me as though it was scripture. As though I had the personal strength to endure anything. But this was the farthest thing from the truth. What would be revealed to me was that nowhere in scripture is the saying “The Lord will never give you more than you can handle.” On the contrary, we will face many situations that are just unbelievably unbearable, but “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4: 13 (NLT).
Last month, shortly before my daughter delivered her first child, she said to me, “Dad, I think we’re ready.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, Sweetheart,” I assured her, “No, you’re not.” I’m willing to suggest that all parents, regardless of what is revealed on the chromosome maps of their children, are absolutely ‘given more than they can handle’. In fact, that seems to be a prominent theme that emerges from nearly every parent’s story in the book. It’s more than we can handle. Yet, right there in the middle of it all, God chooses to reveal himself. Peace beyond understanding. Strength beyond reason. Grace that amazes.
Thanks for your insight, Erin.
David Morstad
