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.