December 2: My God and I

 My God and I

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:7 KJV

Anonymous Writer 

I am sure you have heard the phrase,  “God will not give you more than you can bear” being quoted especially when someone was going through a difficult situation - excruciating pain, sickness, loss of a family member or close friend. 

I want to take you to that verse and let you read it for yourself.  It’s found in 

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV), and it reads, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  

Surprise! God is not referring to pain or loss!  He is referring to temptations!

Remember the prayer Jesus taught His disciples? Let us read Matthew 6:13. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.”  Lead us not into temptation! 

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God is promising that with every temptation that befalls us, He will make sure there is a way of escape.  But we have to *choose* that way! Many times, the temptation is so enjoyable, or we feel so entitled (he deserved that slap) that we CHOOSE to succumb to the temptation. If we would just pray and ask for strength, God will give it, and we would then be able to walk away. He will provide a way OUT that you will endure - that is, you will stay faithful! You will overcome! You will endure until the end. 

Let’s get back to the topic of trials - such as pain, loss or sickness. Trials are a bit different from temptations (though one may be tempted to argue that trials tempt us to give up). 

With trials, though, most times, we have no choice.  We certainly, if we could, we would cancel a trial. We would get rid of the pain. Whereas, with a temptation we usually have a choice - stay in and sleep or get up, get ready and go to church; stay faithful to one’s spouse or enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; stay with this job or take one that pays more although you will have to work on Sabbath. Do you see where I am going with this?

Now I am finally getting to the place I want to take you….

But first, let us read these text:

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 55:22 KJV

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 KJV

“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 I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

We may not know how or even have the ability to change our situation, but we still have a choice. God says “Give me your burdens. I will carry them for you.”  He does care for you!

So, it seems that God does “give” (that is allow) us more than we can handle —sometimes much more.  BUT. He doesn’t expect us to handle it! He says, “ turn it over to Me.”  Leave the outcome in My hands. I will take you through the fire! My child, IT IS more than you can bear! But I am here for you…. I will help you. Because I care for you. God allows trials so that we can choose to let Him handle it for us. We will still feel pain. We will still feel the loss.  But with God, we will handle it together!