Chapter and verse, please?
Let me know when you find it.
...Still waiting.
There IS a Scripture that the saying may be based on. It looks similar, but says something different:
Besides the fact that technically Satan gives temptations, not God (Matt 4:1, Luke 4:1, God leads us into temptation... see those verses for that shocker... but Satan does the actual tempting)1 Corinthians 10:1313 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. LINKNew International Version (NIV)
God gives you more than temptations. Sometimes tests, and just life, are enough.
And a glance at the broader biblical context suggests the opposite of the popular motto is more biblical.
Paul himself stated without apology:
2 Corinthians 1 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death"Far beyond our ability to endure? !" That sounds like more than he can handle.
The great apostle "despaired even of life"? Dare we suggest that almost, if not inevitably suicidal?
He concludes:
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.God will always give us more than we can handle.
Because we're not supposed to handle anything!
Better deal to let God handle it?
Mark Shaefer asks , "Could you imagine saying to an inmate at Auschwitz, 'Don’t worry; God never gives you more than you can bear!?"
If you think I'm making this up, check the Book
..and these posrs :
- God Will Always Give You More Than You Can Handle,
- 9 Lies You Hear in Church: #3. God Never Gives You More Than You Can handle
- God WILL Allow More Than You Can Bear (Alone)
And don't get me started on the constant "peace of mind" God supposedly offers.
Paul , next chapter:
2 Cor 2: 13 :I still had no peace of mind!
The 77s got it: "peace of heart is better than peace of mind":
(Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, Col 3:15)
"Bottom Line" by Mike Roe.. the 77s
'm getting tired of walking up every floor
I'm getting tired of waking up anymore
But there's a hope now and there wasn't before
I got no money and I got no time
I fall down every mountain I try to climb
But peace of heart is better than peace of mind
I've got a bottom line
Oh yeah
I've got a bottom line
Thank God
I've got a bottom line
Oh no
You take one look at me and you wanna walk
'Cuz there's no good in me and I shouldn't talk
But I've got everything though nothing at all
I wasn't looking for what it was I found
Myself standing on some holy ground
I couldn't stand it and I had to sit down
Wanted the impossible
Looked for the impossible
The Impossible found me first
I've got a bottom line
Thank God
I've got a bottom line
Thank God
I've got a bottom line
Oh yeah
I've got a bottom line
Thank God
I
I have heard this so many times! I know that people are trying to be helpful but it's just the opposite. It feels like being hit over the head with your own inadequacy.
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