No more than we can bear
So often, we hear the middle of this verse quoted as encouragement...even rebuke sometimes. Buck up because God hasn't given you more than you can bear! If it happens to you, you should be able to handle it, so quit whining!
I think we do this verse injustice (just as we do to the verse that says God will give us the desires of our hearts) when we pull it out of context.
It is important (small group) to know that you are not the only person who has ever felt what you are feeling...done what you have done...experienced what you are experiencing..."No temptation has seized you except what is common to man!"
And yes, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." He will not give you more than you can handle, but read the rest of the verse! Sometimes it is more than you can handle, so he provides a way out.
When it feels like you can't handle it, you need to start looking around because you're missing something he's put there to help you...to support you...to show you the way out!
He always tells us we were never meant to do this alone, so why would he ask us to withstand this temptation alone?
Created about 3 years ago
