“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
Good Lord do I find that phrase irritating and unhelpful. 
It’s also not anywhere in the Bible! 

A few years ago in Bible Study, we read Rev. Adam Hamilton’s Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say.  It’s an excellent book.  One of the chapters was “God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle.”  It helps to know that a minister with a large following and platform like Adam Hamilton is addressing some of these religious platitudes that do more harm than good in the long run.  It was heartening to discuss these half truths at CFC in our congregational context. 

To be fair, I think that people mean well when they say phrases like this. 
And I do my best to assume the best in people and not the worst. 
Though why do I find the phrase irritating and unhelpful? 

It makes it seem like God is giving us every adversity that comes our way. 
The death of one’s child.  Struggling with addiction.  A painful breakup.  The loss of one’s job.  An accident at work. 
Blame God because God gave that to you. 
Can’t handle it? 
Well, your faith is weak and not strong enough to handle it.  Because “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

This is toxic theology. 
People (again, usually trying to be helpful) throw it out to others and believe it for themselves. 
This theology presents God as a bully and people as God’s victims needing to be punished. 
It also feels like it leads to blame and shame, which is damaging when someone is in the midst of a personal crisis anyway.

I appreciate Jesus telling us simply, “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

When the journey is hard, rest in God’s love. 
God is with you, always.

Love,
Pastor Lauren 

Photo by Rev. Lauren Ostrout of the desert landscape in Carefree, Arizona.

Thursday Thoughts 2/29/24