Half Truth: God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle
This week, we continue in our series about half truths – those colloquial phrases that sound bibl-ish. We are sure that we could find them somewhere in the Bible, if we just kept looking! We have heard the clichés from those around us. There is a kernel of accuracy and truth in the phrase, but also plenty of distortion as well. This week, we focus in on the phrase: “God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle”.
Women, parents, caregivers, and working folks may the first ones to question the veracity of the claim that “God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle.” All who have known the pile on effect of “one more”, consolidations, and the effects of elimination of someone else’s job on yours, might begin to question and wonder if there is truly a capacity limitation to what one handles that will ever be recognized. From never-ending laundry and excel spreadsheets to emotional rigor and endless driving to grading papers and piles of dishes, haven’t you heard some say sweetly “God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle”? It was even Mother Teresa, who famously quipped, “I wish God wouldn’t trust me so much”, especially in reference to the trials she endured. However, the biblical basis is sketchy.
When people look for biblical foundation for this platitude, they turn to the passage from the first letter to Corinth that we heard this morning. Let me share a bit about Corinth where: “No temptation has seized you which is not familiar to other people also. But God is faithful. God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will supply a way out, so that you will be able to endure it.”
Corinth, the port city in Greece where Paul founded a church, was a frequent correspondent with Paul. Paul letter references the Greek word peir-asmos, which can also be translated as tested. However, in the context of letter about idolatry, immorality, and self-discipline, most translators chose temptations intentionally to highlight the verses that follow. In first century Corinth, new Christians would be challenged to remain faithful to the one true God and leave behind the many Greek gods, including Aphrodite, the goddess of love and Dionysus, the god of wine. To no longer “live like a Corinthian” in the first century, was to leave behind a life of drunkenness, sexual immorality, and carelessness. Temptations were everywhere.
But Paul reminds the Corinthians that their experience is not unique. Later in letter, Paul writes and we know that the Israelites experienced temptations in the wilderness as did Jesus. And so, will we. And yet, this is not the same rhetorically as God will not give you more than you can carry. Instead, God will not tempt you beyond what you can bear and will always provide a way out.
We have two cats, Tristan and Chirp. Chirp is a small ginger cat; whose nose leads her into temptation. She loves people food. She jumps up on tables and counters. She loves to like the drippings from steak and icing from a cake. She will lick anything she can get into. Unfortunately, it makes her quite sick. God does not lead Chirpy into temptation though – her nose does. While you and I may not be exactly like my cat in licking plates of food to make ourselves sick, we tend to go towards what we know we shouldn’t. We too, can make ourselves ill, when we go astray.
As we encounter temptation, we will always find ways out as we seek them. But onto our good news, each and every time God supplies us with a way out. Each and every time, God will offer a way for you to get out the temptation that is before you. We pray this regularly. We pray when we pray the Lord’s Prayer: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
God wouldn’t give you – implies that God is the giver of situations – painful and difficult happening in your life. As we preached through two weeks ago when talked about the half-truth: Everything Happens for a reason. This would be like saying: God gives horrible and difficult things to us, but do not worry God will stop as soon as you reach your breaking point! Instead of saying this, How about saying:
How can I help?
God, who did NOT give this to you, will help you handle the inevitable challenges of life.
Listen to how close that sounds to this (join me when you recognize it:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.
From the fourth verse of Psalm 23.
Last week after service, Ed Tolmie shared this story with me. Two Florida teenagers, Tyler and Heather had been out swimming at Vilano Beach, when a current carried them out to sea. They were together tried to get back to shore as they shivered. Two miles off the coastline and two hours of treading, they began to yell and panic. They turned to prayer.
The crew abroad a cargo ship heard them above the wind, waves, and the engines. The crew heard what they described as desperate screams. Tyler and Heather exhausted and almost near the end of their own strength were pulled on board. Both teenagers were thankful and told the crew that they called out for God’s help – and the ship showed up. Captain Eric Wagner was delighted to tell Tyler and Heather that the name of his vessel is – The Amen. What a gift of God for those who called out to God!
We call on for God for ourselves knowing that God will be there for us. God asks us to offer ourselves for others, knowing that God will use us for others. Faithful people have been living this way for generations. Parents have been living this way; mothers have been living this way. All those who mother in all capacities have been doing this.
When Anna Jarvis begun her movement for the recognition of her mother, Ann Jarvis in 1908, she raised the issues of humanity for which women care. By the way, while she was born in West Virginia, she lived out much of her last years in West Chester. The broad charity of maternal love motivated Anna’s charge to raise the plight of children laborers, healthcare, and other similar issues. Her movement to celebrate Mother’s Day was a faith-based call to recognize the incredible impact women have in caring for others as well as to raise the issues for the next year that need attention. In addition to engaging new avenues, Anna Jarvis was want to say, “any mother would rather have a line of the worst scribble from her son or daughter than any fancy greeting card.”
Many today call on the name of the God, Refuge and Strength, for all children to be fed sustainably and nutritiously. For all children to be safe and secure from all harms, including going to school without needing to stop intruders. For educational and healthcare accessibility. For nurturing homes and loving families.
At our May ministerium meeting, the Chester County supervisor for Foster Care shared with us in Chester County, our foster care currently has approximately 100 children in care outside of their home. In the last year 25 children were placed. She shared this in context of approximately 200 children for Delaware County, and 1300 children in Philadelphia. She celebrated with us the role of churches, foster parents, and organizations that come along side! Without that support, our community children would be in deeper need.
On this day, we give thanks to God for all those who labor day in and through the night for the lives of our children and youth – women of all ages and stages as well as men. The lives of children every where are dependent on this.
When we are faced with difficult times, there are times when we need a doctor or therapist. I give thanks to God for all times I have seen God moving with wellness and strength in these medical, emotional, and mental health resources. God works through many different mediums to offer healing and wholeness. Additionally, we often need family, friends, neighbors, church family, brothers, sisters, and a host of community who make a collaboration of villages to go forward together. And God, who walks with us, who does not give us the struggles and challenges, but rather works with us in the navigating the inevitable challenges of life. May we lean on the everlasting arms of God and seek the refuge of God in our times of trouble.
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen.
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Gospel Lesson: I Corinthians 10:12-13
So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, May 12 ~ Saturday, May 18
Sunday: “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” 1 Corinthians 10: 12. Pray for those who are standing tall and strong today that they might remain steadfast.
Monday: “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10: 13. Praise God who always gives you a way to get out of challenges.
Tuesday: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46: 1. God is not the giver of trouble, but rather, the refuge and strength in the midst of trouble.
Wednesday: “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;” Psalm 46: 2. Where are you being called to live beyond fear, even as the world around you is changing?
Thursday: “God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.” Psalm 46:5. Pray for the city. Walk around the city nearest to you. Pray for the presence of God to be known.
Friday: “God makes wars cease to the end of the earth; God breaks the bow and shatters the spear; God burns the shields with fire.” Psalm 46: 9. Consider God’s goodness includes the ceasing of wars and the breaking of weaponry. Participate and collaborate with God in ending division!
Saturday: “‘Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46: 10. Today, let each your prayer be: “be still, and know that I am God.” Then, nothing is beyond the reach of God!