No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Does God ever give us more than we can handle?
Yes and no. Yes, He allows us to experience more than we can handle in our own strength, but no, He never gives us more than we can handle in His strength.
Life can be so challenging – even when we’re healthy. But when we’re fighting cancer or a life-threatening disease we can quickly come to the end of our strength. I was confronted by my utter weakness during my battle with Stage IV melanoma. Under the continuous barrage of physical and emotional stress, my natural human strength leaked out in a hurry. Actually, we were never designed to live even one moment apart from the Lord’s strength – whether sick or healthy! This is why Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Yet, thankfully, He has not left us powerless. He offers His Holy Spirit to those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior (more on receiving Him here). With the Spirit’s supernatural help, we are enabled to cope with circumstances that are humanly impossible.
So how do we tap into the Holy Spirit’s power? Simply turn to Him and ask Him to fill you up. He is eager to empower us. Luke quotes Jesus in 11:13, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” He also commands us to be filled with His Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18, so He will certainly help us figure this out: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”
This constant dependency on His Spirit must occur on a conscious level. He wants us to be clear on the source of our strength lest we be confused as to where our power ends and His power begins. Our power is limited – His is not.
So when it seems you’re running on empty and He has given you more than you can handle, ask Him to fill you to overflowing with His Holy Spirit’s power. He’ll do it and you’ll find yourself strengthened for each day’s journey.
Lord, help us transition from depending on our strength to living through Your amazing power.
