Yesterday in Sunday School, we discussed Week 3 of our "Half-Truths" study by Adam Hamilton. We talked about the phrase "God won't give you more than you can handle" and why we should not say that to those who are suffering/going through a hard time. This statement's defense usually comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized 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." However, when you read this verse in context, Paul is writing to the Corinthians about facing temptation, not about facing hard times. So, yes, God won't tempt you beyond what you can endure, but the statement "God won't give you more than you can handle" isn't talking about that. When we say those words to someone, one thing we are implying is that "whatever difficult or painful things are happening in your life, God gave them to you" (Hamilton). Scripture promises us that at all times, God wants to be our help and our strength, but He does not send bad things into our lives. Instead, perhaps a better statement to make to people could be, "God will help you handle all that you've been given".
Last night at Youth Group, we had a delicious dinner provided by the Attaways (thank you!!) and then we had an awesome time hearing some of Abe Parker's music and being encouraged by Abe's testimony! Thank you so much to Abe and his buddy Zack for coming out and playing for us and talking with us!