Why I do not fully agree with the statement "God will not give us more than we can handle."

There's a statement we hear quite often when we go through hard times that goes something like this, "don't worry, God will not give you more than you can handle." This phrase has stirred in my mind. I don't fully agree with this statement because I believe oftentimes God does give us more than we can handle. It is a humbling process that stretches me and helps me realize how much I need my Father in Heaven and my Savior. On my mission I got a great grasp of this principle. I've always been pretty independent, but I was humbled as to how much I needed my Savior as a missionary. I could not do that work, or any work for that matter, without him.

"As to my strength I am weak, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in HIS strength I CAN DO ALL THINGS." Alma 26:12

I have come to know that our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ do not make up the difference, They are the difference and we cannot make it on our own. I have found in my life that I am given more than I can handle so I can lean on my Savior's strength, so that I can feel Him walk by me, and lift me up.

Kayla Lemmon in a blog a few years back said, "I wanted to know where that phrase was that people kept repeating to me in church and at work and over the phone. (God will not give you more than you can handle). Why did the Lord “trust me so much”?! Why did He think I could handle these kinds of trials?

And then I realized: I couldn’t find that quote because it isn’t there.

It never mentions anywhere in the scriptures that the Lord won’t give you more than you can handle. Yes, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it speaks of Him giving us an escape from temptations so that it’s not too much to bear. But when it comes to pain, trials, heartache, and burdens– not once does it say it won’t be more than we can bear. Instead, it beautifully says this instead:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11: 28-30)


 

My intentions in writing this blog are not to cause controversy but to show Christ's active role in our lives in carrying those burdens. One of my favorite phrases in the scriptures is "and the Lord was with us." I testify that He is with us and that He is willing to carry us. He already has carried us.

I learned about this through the scriptures this week as I studied a faithful and humble servant of the Lord. Nephi's life never seemed like a walk in the park. Every time he finished a task another hardship laid at his feet. The Lord commanded him to walk hundreds of miles to get a record from the wicked King Laban. His brother's were like the stepsisters in Cinderella and at one point even tried to kill their own brother. He broke his bow while trying to provide for his family. And when I'm sure he was exhausted beyond measure, the Lord commanded Nephi to build a ship something he had clearly never done before. At this point my heart hurts for Nephi. Can't the poor guy ever catch a break? And this is all we have record of. There could have been lots more. As I was explaining this to my boyfriend he reminded me that I was forgetting the end of these stories. Nephi was given more than he could handle on his own...but with the Lord incredible miracles occurred.

When Nephi went to get the plates, the Lord delievered Laban into his hands. Nephi said "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he share prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanders them."(I Nephi 3:7) And prepare a way he did.

When Nephi's bow was broken and his brothers wanted to kill him the Lord once again Edithelped carry his burdens and provided a way. "And it came to pass that the Lord was with us. Yeah even the voice of the Lord came and did chasten them exceedingly and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger and did repent insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food that we did not perish." (1 Nephi 16:39) Another reference of the Lord's miraculous power is found in 1 Nephi 17:53-55.

When Nephi was commanded to build a boat, he had to do the brunt of the work but the Lord was with him. "And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship." (1 Nephi 17:1). I love the relationship Nephi has with the Lord. All these verses show how they work together in order for miracles to happen.

Without my Savior I am nothing, but with Him I am everything. I am grateful for His humility, love, and willingness to carry those burdens, to place our struggles, our challenges, and our  infirmities, on His back and walk with us. He saves me daily. I am so grateful for Him and cannot imagine my life without such a loving, merciful, and humble Savior.

A River, A Rod, And An All Loving God

Many are familiar with Lehi's vision of the tree of life, but I learned something recently I hadn't noticed before. In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Lehi has a vision. Through this vision he learns about the love of God. Different objects throughout are used in a symbolic way to teach Lehi and his family, and also to teach each and everyone of us today. For example there is a dark and dreary wasteland, a great and spacious building, a river, a straight and narrow pathway, a tree which bears the most desirable fruit, etc. Many of you are probably reading this and saying "yeah yeah yeah, I've heard that a thousand times,"  but stay with me for a bit!

In verses 19 and 20 of chapter 8 we read,

"And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world."

We later come to find out that the rod of iron is symbolic of the word of God. The rod of iron leads directly to the tree of life. The tree bears fruit which is symbolic of God's love. Are you staying with me?

Here's a little key:

great and spacious building-the world

mists of darkness-temptation

iron rod-word of God

fruit of the tree- love of God

  In verse 19 we learn that there is a river. Through the temptations and misfortune of life we all may find ourselves at one point or another "in the river" so to speak. We fall off the path and lose our way. We may feel helpless, or hopeless, yet in God's almighty love He places the iron rod right by the river. Verse 19 says the iron rod extends along the bank of the river. When we fall, when we feel swallowed up in the depths of life, God will always be there. His doctrines and teachings will always remain. At any time we can grasp onto the rod and pull ourselves back up onto His path. He is forgiving, He is loving, He is omniscient, and there are no flaws in His perfectly devised plan, because of the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

Elder Holland said, "however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

You are never out of reach from Him who loves you fully and perfectly. Wherever you may be on or off the path, look to Him, and trust Him. Find the iron rod and hold on. Remember if you fall, the rod is within reach. He will lead you safely home, and help you to reach the tree and partake of the fruit which is "most desirous."

He Lives

As I was reading the scriptures this week I was reminded of the importance of testifying of Christ. In the very end of the Book of Mormon Moroni gives some powerful council on prayer, faith, and Christ's hand in our lives. 

I noticed an inspiring parallel between verses 26 and 31 in chapter 7 of Moroni as shown below.

 

 

The very essence of the Bible and the Book of Mormon is to testify of Christ. We come to better know Him as we read about Him and feel of His love and influence in our lives.

In a unique way through these verses I learned more about the Savior and the importance of sharing our testimony of Him. "As surely as Christ lives...bear testimony of Him."

For this weeks blog I just wanted to share my simple testimony, yet something I cherish above everything, of the Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ lives. I know that He left what was comfortable, and what was easy, to provide a way for us to find happiness in this life and in the world to come. The sweetest joys I have felt are because of Him. I know that nothing in His life was easy, yet He walked the long, painful roads because of His unfailing love for us. When we think no one understands, He does. I know His faith is perfect, and that perfect faith carried Him through the Atonement. I know that His love is real. It is something that I cannot fully comprehend or explain, yet it is ever present in my life. At times when I feel undeserving, or unworthy, He reminds me that He completed the Atonement for me...and He completed it for you. I know that He knows us like the back of His hand because he has "engraven us upon the palms of His hands." (Isaiah 49:16) I have felt Him lift me up. At times when I have felt alone I have felt His arms wrapped around me. I cannot deny His influence in my life. It is too great, too powerful, too incredible, and too perfect. "Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D-tGqIWMU8). Our Savior lives. That simple truth brings me all the joy in the world. How grateful I am for that.  

...

I would encourage you to share your testimony of Him this week. Maybe there is someone out there who needs it.

Also here's one of my favorite Mormon Messages! Please watch if you have a few minutes it is incredible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

Standing As A Witness

Alma, a converted servant, and prophet of the Lord in Mosiah chapter 18 is preaching to those who will hear his inspired message. On specifically teaching the covenant of baptism he explains that when we are baptized we agree to, 

8. "bear one another's burdens that they may be light.

He goes on to say in the following verse,

9. Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God that ye may be numbered with those of the first resurrection that may have eternal life."

These scriptures contain a powerful covenant (a promise between us and God). In my Religion class this week we talked about what it means to be a witness. A witness tells others what they know. My teacher expressed that God has always been on trial. There are those that reject Him. People all over the world accuse Him of His existence. It is our duty as Christians to defend our Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ. I read these verses in new light as my teacher had us imagine the Father pleading unto us and asking us to stand as His witness. I had a greater desire to defend my Father who has given me everything. Every joy I have felt in this life is because of Him, and every trial I experience is a manifestation of His love and trust in me. I want to do more to stand as His witness not when it is convenient, not when I experience a great miracle, but always. I have a long way to go to achieve this but there is hope in the journey.

There will be times in our lives where we feel we are failing at keeping our end of this covenant. To be a witness at All times and in All places requires great effort. Yet Elder Holland lovingly stated, "we get credit for trying, even if we don't always succeed."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also said,  "may we stand by Jesus Christ at all times and in all things that we may be in even until death, for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone." 

 (link to the talk)  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng 

 I am so grateful for a Savior who stands with us at all times, who is our Witness, our Brother, our Redeemer, and our Friend. He will plead our case and defend those who earnestly follow Him. I love my Savior. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness of Him.