No no no, you can't handle this

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. – 1 Corinthians 10:13


If verses had feelings, I think this one would lament over being constantly misunderstood. Often times we think back to this, especially during times of trouble, and think of it in reference to our own personal strengths. We look at it as God’s kudos to our ability to handle tough times and when it’s over we thank God for believing in us if we succeed, or questioning His confidence if we don’t. Yet this verse is not about what we can or can not accomplish, as the rest of the Bible makes very clear. Verses like Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Isaiah 40:29. Even 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us not to become too confident in our own power.

So what is this verse about, if not about our strength? What is our “ability”? I believe it is our measure of faith. James 1:2-3 tells us that trials are considered the testing of our faith. And it is through faith that God can make good on His promises. Do I truly believe that I can do all things through Christ? Sure, I may have the faith to get through a bad day or two, but what about dealing with the betrayal of a friend, the loss of a loved one or supporting myself and my family through difficult financial times? What will my attitude look like in those situations? When faced with issues of pride, greed, selfishness, lust, anger or bitterness can I pray for wisdom as James instructed, and pray without doubting?

Many times we must allow ourselves to get to the place where we realize that we are insufficient to make it through the struggle before God can provide us an escape. James also reminds us that “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (4:6) and “humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (4:10). When we humble ourselves, we give Him free reign to do what needs to be done, with no interference from us and proud minds. In reality, there is no circumstance that we can’t bear, as there is nothing that is too big for Him. The only limitation is in how much we trust Him to provide for us in all situations.

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee

Laban became greedy and began to treat Jacob poorly. He grew to covet the prosperity he received after Jacob worked for him, and took advantage of Jacob's hard work. From the moment he tricked Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, Laban tried to take whatever he could from Jacob without giving anything in return. Never did he see him as a son, only as a means of making a profit.

Yet despite all of his efforts, God still blessed Jacob and gave him much. When he fled to Canaan with what had been decided as his wages, he had much, even though Laban had tried to take it all away from him. Jacob served Laban even while being mistreated, and God rewarded Jacob while taking from Laban what he tried so hard to hold on to.

Often times people see us for less than what we are. They look at how we can better their lives, and do not take into account the needs of our own life. Yet we are not to repay their inconsiderate attitude with one of our own. Just as Jacob had committed to serving Laban, so we have a commitment to God to server others. We can not let the bad things others do make us into bad people. Romans 12:17-21 tells us that we should not return evil for evil, and that God is the one who will enact vengeance. Just as Laban lost his daughters and his cattle, so God will repay as He sees fit. We need to be as Jacob was and wait for God's blessing.

Suffering Savior

Much emphasis is put on how much Jesus suffered on the cross (and for good reason). But there is not much attention given to his emotional pain, both on the road to the cross and while he was hanging. The walk to the hill, he had to carry his own cross, while guards whipped him and harassed him. Surely he passed bystanders whom he had taught or healed. Many were probably confused, or hurt, or perhaps even angry. Maybe they thought he had deceived them. Maybe they were upset he didn't fight. When he became too weak to carry his cross, many may have thought about how he had the ower to heal even raise people from the dead, but now he could barely stand. His time on the cross was equally humiliating, as people stood around to watch the spectacle. How hard it must have been to be filled with such love for these people, and realize they had no idea what was happening, to them it was just a show.

Am I willing to humble myself to do the work of God, knowing that the world won't understand, that to them I may seem strange? Do I value their life and their salvation more than I value my name and reputation?