The Danger of a Well-Meaning Myth
Thursday’s Verse:
From 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
We’ve all heard it.
In the hospital waiting room. At the funeral home. Sitting across the table from a friend who has just lost a loved one: “Don’t worry. God only gives us what we can handle.”
It is said with the best intentions. It’s meant to be comforting. We want to assure our friend that they are strong. That they will be okay.
But there’s a problem with this age-old cliché: It isn’t Biblical. In fact, the Bible teaches the opposite.
Scripture this phrase comes from is almost always 1 Corinthians 10:13, but if we actually read the passage, we see that Paul is not speaking about the burden of life’s tragedies. He is speaking about temptation.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
The encouragement we find in this verse is that no sinful temptation will ever be necessary. We will never be “cornered” into making a bad choice. There is always a way out.
But there is no promise here that we will never be crushed by grief, or illness, or burnout.
In fact, if we could handle it all, we wouldn’t need a Savior. Even the Apostle Paul said he wasn’t up to the task. In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he described a situation where he literally despaired of life:
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.”
Paul didn’t have it “handled.” He was drowning, and he wrote that God allowed it to happen so Paul would rely on God instead of himself.
But when we say to others, “Oh, you can handle it,” we are really telling them they need to handle it themselves. If they find themselves sinking, we imply that they just need to try harder. To be “stronger.”
The Gospel gives us a much better promise. When we truly trust in Christ, we can know with 100% certainty that the message is not “You’ve got this.” It is “He’s got you.”
It’s okay to be overwhelmed.
It’s okay to come to the end of your rope.
It’s okay to need help.
Jesus didn’t invite “the strong” to come to Him. He didn’t say, “Whoever can understand these teachings will come to me.” Instead, he said:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Let’s start being honest enough to lean on the Strong One whose power is made perfect in our weakness.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, keep me focused on Jesus’ Gospel this Lenten season, and that I never be led astray. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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