Salty tears touched the corners of my lips as I breathed deeply and inhaled carpet fuzz. Lying face down on the floor, I asked myself, “What am I doing!? Did I make the right choice? I can’t do this!“
This was my first time doubting my decision to embark on the World Race. I felt guilty even feeling this way. Suddenly, it all seemed so overwhelming:
Leaving a job I had grown to love and the students I love even more.
Packing up my things to leave the city I’ve known for 7 years, wondering if I will ever return.
Agreeing to end my serious relationship because we felt it was the wise thing to do.
Feeling the pressure of saving a year-worth of student loans, while figuring out how to pay for hundreds of dollars in vaccinations and gear for the trip.
“God, I don’t think I can handle this!” I cried out to my Father.
In the depths of my heart I heard His whisper,
“You’re right, Victoria. Alone, you cannot handle this, but with Me, you can.“
Think about this common phrase:
“God never gives us more than we can handle.”
Have you heard this statement before? Felt comforted by the words or possibly puzzled when looking at the chaos surrounding you? Does it make you smile or cause your head to shake in disagreement?
I’ve heard these words. I’ve said them to others. I’ve whispered them to my own soul. However, I came to the conclusion that this phrase is false.
God can give you more than you can handle.
God will give you more than you can handle.
God should give you more than you can handle.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
What happens if we were only given things we could handle? We would never grow or learn from our experiences. We would never be challenged. We would be come a stagnant people. We would foolishly grow to believe that we need to take care of everything out of our own strength. Our need to place our trust in the Lord becomes obsolete. If we could handle everything all on our own, why would we need God at all?
I absolutely love this excerpt from Relevant Magazine‘s article “7 Unbiblical Statements Christians Believe“:
“Actually, all of life is more than we can handle. The point of living in a fallen world is not for us to try really hard to carry our heavy burden, but rather realize we can’t do it alone and surrender to God instead. That’s what faith is all about.”
When our loving, gracious, Heavenly Father gives us more than we can handle, He is inviting us into an opportunity. An opportunity of growth, trust, surrender, and total reliance on Him. It’s a chance to humbly admit our weaknesses, cry out for Him, and run into His arms for rest. We are in a position that allows us to exalt His name, step away from the driver’s seat and watch in awe as He brings us through the things we alone are not capable of doing. HE IS GLORIFIED!
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I got up from the floor and cleaned off my face. At the end of the day, the doubt diminished. God’s truths welled up in my heart. I know this is not the end of it. For the rest of my life I will think, “I can’t handle this!” It may come for a moment, maybe for a season, but I know there is a God who can handle it. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. He is faithful and true to His promises.
Whether you’re a future World Racer, currently in the field, or someone at home, we will ALL come to places of feeling overwhelmed at one time or another. My challenge to you is this: Stop telling yourself you can handle it alone. Admit your sinful, weak human nature and surrender the situation to the Lord. He is waiting to carry your burdens, if you’ll just trust Him.
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19
And if you like a challenge, I dare you to take it a step further: Praise Him for the moments when you can’t handle it! He is doing a good work in you! And you’re not finished yet!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails for many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4
