¿ God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle ?

¿ God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle ?

Half-Truths - Part 2
(based on the book by Adam Hamilton)

July 13, 2025

1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
see also: James 1:13-17, Psalm 46:1-3, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

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“Don’t worry, God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

Before we dig into what God does and doesn’t give us, let’s first consider the source of this unhelpful cliché. It is an adaptation of the passage above from 1 Corinthians 10:13

The actual statement from 1 Corinthians 10 reads: “God won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities.”

James elaborates on this point when he writes:

No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15

The ability to overcome temptation and the ability to handle any circumstance that comes our way are two entirely different things. God does not tempt us to sin, but he promises that he will give us the strength to resist temptation. The lure of sin does not have power over us if we are walking in the Spirit because we have died to our sinful nature and been raised to walk in the light of Christ. The good news of the gospel, in fact, is not simply the forgiveness of sin so that we can go to heaven, but the power over sin granted to us by the same grace which saved us in the first place.

Clearly the statement, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” is a misquoted version of this favorite memory verse from 1 Corinthians. But what do we do with the broader idea? It has become so vital to our faith to believe that no matter how bad things get, we will not get overwhelmed because God won’t give us more than we can handle.

This favorite half-truth often follows right behind “Everything happens for a reason” as a second pillar of our “Bumper Sticker Christianity.” In fact, it utterly depends on the idea that everything happens according to God’s plan and that God causes every bad thing to happen. “God won’t give you more than you can handle” implies first and foremost that everything you have to handle, no matter how tragic, must be from God for some greater divine purpose.

If you missed last week’s message, now may be a good time to go back and check out “Everything Happens for a Reason”.

Two key points to keep in mind:

1. Not every circumstance you have to handle is from God.

   It is just as likely that the struggle you face is the result of the natural ebb and flow of life, or perhaps even the result of sinful and destructive choices, whether yours or the harmful choices of others that may have had nothing to do with you at all. Nevertheless, the consequences are very real and painful.

2. Though we may very well be overwhelmed by circumstances beyond our control, God will see us through any circumstance we face.

   This is where we draw hope from the Apostle Paul.

I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.

I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“God will help you handle all that you’ve been given” (Adam Hamilton).

As he tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient because my power is made perfect in your weakness.”

Take some time to sit with all of the circumstances in your life that overwhelm you. Imagine them circling around you like a storm as you stand with Peter on the water in the middle of the sea. Look up to Jesus and reach out your hand. Invite him to grant you peace, and even if he doesn’t calm the storm, pray that the Holy Spirit might calm the storm in you.

Listen to this week’s sermon above for more on the half truth: “God won’t give you more than you can handle”. For now, let us us pray together with the Psalmist:

God is our refuge and strength,

a help always near in times of great trouble.

That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart…

Psalm 46:1-2a (CEB)

Grow Up

Grow Up
Grow: Rethinking Church Growth - Part 2
April 14, 2024
Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Peter 2:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Brothers and sisters, I couldn’t talk to you like spiritual people but like unspiritual people, like babies in Christ.  I gave you milk to drink instead of solid food, because you weren’t up to it yet.  Now you are still not up to it because you are still unspiritual. When jealousy and fighting exist between you, aren’t you unspiritual and living by human standards?

 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

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Growth is a natural part of life.  It’s been said that if you are not growing, you are dying.  But the question is, what kind of growth are we talking about? 

In the church, growth is often measured by numbers… in particular worship attendance or membership, and financial giving.  That’s it.  But scripture consistently refers to the church as a living organism, as the body of Christ.  I wonder, what would happen if we measured the growth of the human body on those standards alone?  What if growth was only measured by how tall we got and how much weight we gained?

That might be a good starting point for an infant, especially one who may have been pre-mature or underweight at birth, but for an adult, there comes a point when we will not grow any taller and if anything, many of us would rather lose weight than gain it.  If our only measurement for growth is physical size, then we spend the majority of our lives either stagnant or dying because we simply cannot grow anymore.

There are many debates about whether or not a church can grow too big, or what the ideal “weight” or size of a healthy church might be.  Some idealize the multi-thousand member mega church as the expected norm, while others in mid to larger size churches quickly realize that they have become so bloated with programs and buildings that they must streamline in order to make their ministry sustainable.  It has been argued that it is better to do one thing exceptionally well than 20 or 30 things mediocre because your budget and your people are stretched too thin. 

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins identifies what he calls “The Hedgehog Concept”, in most successful companies.  As a leadership model, the hedgehog concept is based on the fact that a hedgehog really only has one natural defense mechanism in nature.  It can roll up in a spiky little ball and become almost impossible for a predator to eat.  It is easy to look at that hedgehog as small, weak, and insignificant compared to more majestic animals like lions and bears, but no one can argue with the effectiveness of the hedgehog’s ability to survive and thrive by warding off predators in such a simple way.  If it tried to fight back or compete with other animals, it would likely lose, but when it does what it was created to do, all is well.

New Testament writers regularly call out the church for essentially getting fat on baby food ( Eph. 4:11-16, Heb. 5:12-14, 1 Pet. 2:1-5, 1 Cor. 3:1-3, etc.)  They are never concerned about numerical growth in the countless small house churches and faith communities sprouting up across the known world.  Rather, they call out the lack of spiritual maturity among those who have been in the faith the longest.  In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul particularly uses their constant jealousy and quarreling as evidence of this lack of spiritual growth and health. 

I wonder how much of our own quarreling and even decline in today’s world stems from our jealousy of larger churches and our own insecurities about size and money? 

What if real growth means simply being the best, healthiest and most mature little hedgehog we can be?

God Feels Our Pain

God Feels Our Pain

Where is God when… ? - Part 1

Sunday, November 5, 2023
Luke 10:25-37; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.  The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds.

Luke 10:33-34 (CEB)

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort.  He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CEB)

Listen to this Week’s Sermon here:

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All Saints Day often brings up a mixture of emotions, from joyful memories to tremendous grief in the absence of those who have gone before us.  The stark reminder of death is difficult to process and often avoided in a world so overwhelmed by human suffering. 

So where is God in the midst of all this death and suffering?  Over the coming weeks we will wrestle with why God cannot simply put an end to pain or death or even evil.  For now we must begin with a key aspect of God’s character, that no matter what it may seem, God is a God of compassion.

Compassion is not simply feeling sorry for someone in their grief, but actually empathizing with them in suffering. 

Psychologist Brene Brown says empathy involves “listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating the incredibly healing message, ‘You’re not alone.’” Empathizers are fellow sufferers who understand. I distinguish empathy from pity. To pity is to feel sorry for others at a distance. The one who pities remains detached and says, “That’s just too bad for her.” “Ain’t that a shame?” “Bless your heart.” Or “Sucks to be him!”

Tom Oord, God Can’t, 49.

When the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable sees the dying man on the road, he was “moved with compassion.”  It is hard to be moved with compassion from afar.  As we draw near to the suffering, our capacity for compassion and empathy increases. 

This is equally true of God.  In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul describes God as a God of compassion and the source of all comfort.  Unlike humans, God does not suffer from compassion fatigue, but always draws near to the hurting and brokenhearted.  God doesn’t merely see our suffering from a distance, but God feels our pain and can handle it.  God’s empathy and compassion always moves God toward expressing love in a variety of ways. 

John Wesley calls our mysterious perceptions of God’s presence “spiritual sensations” because the Spirit communicates with us beyond our five senses.  Jesus sends the Spirit as the Comforter.  The Spirit often uses human comforters as conduits of God’s presence to those in pain.  God demonstrates compassion through communities of compassionate people. 

Sometimes we feel God’s love and compassion more than others, but even when we can’t, God always feels our pain and is moved to extend love and mercy toward all who are hurting.  If the cross shows us anything, it is that God is a God who understands… a God who always with us in our suffering and who deeply feels our pain.

#BeUMC - I Belong, You Belong, We Belong

I Belong, You Belong, We Belong

#BeUMC - Part 4

Sunday, July 16 , 2023
1 Corinthians 12:12-20

John replied, “Master, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group of followers.” But Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him, because whoever isn’t against you is for you.”

Luke 9:49-50

This week’s sermon, “I Belong, You Belong, We Belong” comes to us from special guest Rev. Katie Lineberger. Listen here…

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From “Catholic Spirit: Sermon 39” - John Wesley

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. (¶4)

Hold you fast that which you believe is most acceptable to God, and I will do the same. I believe the Episcopal form of church government to be scriptural and apostolical. If you think the Presbyterian or Independent is better, think so still, and act accordingly. I believe infants ought to be baptized; and that this may be done either by dipping or sprinkling. If you are otherwise persuaded, be so still, and follow your own persuasion. … I have no desire to dispute with you one moment upon any of the preceding heads. Let all these smaller points stand aside. Let them never come into sight. “If thine heart is as my heart,” if thou lovest God and all [hu}mankind, I ask no more: “give me thine hand.” (§II, ¶2)

We are social creatures, designed to live in community. We celebrate family bonds, community Oes, and even feel a kinship with fellow fans of our favorite football team. Sometimes, however, our ideas about belonging are corrupted and we begin to draw defined circles too closely. When we view the “other” as one of “them,” we have entered into dangerous territory. Jesus is quick to correct his disciples when they begin to talk about “us.” Jesus modeled the ways we should be more accepting of the beautiful diversity intrinsic in the people of God.

As United Methodists, our inclusiveness requires more than simply welcoming people in worship on Sundays.

We are a people who seek justice.

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

Amos 5:24

Scriptural holiness entails more than personal piety;   love of God is always linked with love of neighbor, a passion for justice and renewal in the life of the world.  (Book of Discipline, ¶102.1—Our Doctrinal Heritage)

We are a resilient people.

We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

It is easy to feel disheartened in our world. A global pandemic, racial injustice, climate change, economic worries, political divisiveness, family issues, and so much more threaten to steal our joy every day. Yet as people of God, we are people of hope, a hope that gives us strength to rebound even from the most difficult of circumstances. Our faith makes us resilient.

We are a welcoming people.

Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Being a welcoming person of God entails more than inviting people into spaces where we feel most comfortable. Christ also compels us out into the world, to meet people wherever they are, and to serve as a welcoming presence to others.

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- excerpts from #BeUMC Study Guide

You can download the complete discussion guide at https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/our-people/beumc