God's Grace is Sufficient Because I Am Not

You don't have to be in the Christian community long before you hear it. The popular platitude that has likely spilled over someones lips a million times. "God will never give you more than you can handle." Accompanied of course by the verses that speak of God's grace being sufficient and His burden being light. Popular things to say and "remind" people of when they are facing trying times.

Where in the bible, though, does it say that God will never allow us more than we can handle. Yes it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you..." Previous to this, though, the passage shows Paul pleading with God to remove the thorn that He placed in Paul's side. Let's also not forget Christ begging God to take the burden of the cross from him. Even though he was ultimately willing to do what God sent him to do. Hmmm, maybe because they couldn't "handle" it? To which God replied "My grace is sufficient." Then the verse goes on to say ".....for my power is made perfect in weakness.” If we're always trying to "handle it all" where is there room for God to perfect His power in our weakness?

Then of course there is this popular statement found in Matthew 11:30: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I don't doubt this of course. When God says that His burden is light I believe Him. But is He going to grab us by the shoulders & rip off our burden to put His on instead? I honestly don't think so. To receive the yoke of Christ requires us to take the conscious action of laying our burden down and trading it in for the light burden of God. After all doesn't the bible also say "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"?

So why is daily life such a struggle? If God "never gives us more than we can handle" why do I so often crack under the pressure? Because God never promised He wouldn't give us more than we could handle. In fact, I believe, God frequently does allow us more than we can handle and He does it so that we have to depend on Him. Then why do I never feel this "sufficient grace"? Because all too often I forget, or even neglect to stop long enough to ask and receive. We have to take that step toward him. We have to take off our burden, lay it down, stretch out our hands, or perhaps up, and receive His light burden and His grace.

So in conclusion....

1) God does allow me more than I can handle

2) He allows it so I have to be dependent on Him

3) His burden is light and His grace is sufficient me....but

4) I have to take the time to ask for it and receive it.