You're Not Strong Enough

You’re Not Strong Enough

Have you ever been confronted with something so difficult that you did not know how you could go on? It is in those times that often you will hear trite Christian platitudes designed to make people feel better with bumper-sticker theology.  But these quotes do little in the face of the actual brokenness of the world.  

I have a friend who is currently going through one life-threatening struggle after another. He has leaned on God all the way and God has strengthened him to face each new day. The emotion of despair has not overtaken him. One day a well-meaning Christian said to him, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” I am sure you have heard those words before.

A limp, anemic statement such as that will not stand up in a broken world.

The primary problem with the quote is that it is not in the Bible.

There is, however, a statement that sounds like it.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we read, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”  Notice that the verse is about temptation.  That’s it.

The Bible reveals quite another story when it comes to struggles.

The apostle Paul faced many struggles in his life. He wrote, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:8-9).

Take note of these scriptures as well.

 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.” (2 Timothy 4:17).

“I can do all things thru Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When you find yourself struggling and you have nothing left to give – when life’s difficulties are beyond your capability to cope, it is in those times you must rely on God.  Approach Him with an authentic faith that engages Him with the full brunt of your emotion and pain.  Then, the strength of the God of resurrection will be seen.

Dear Heavenly Father, life is often difficult. We sometimes feel overwhelmed and  don’t understand why you choose to leave us in the midst of the struggle. I hurt for my friend and his struggles, but I thank you for giving him strength. He is courageous because you stand by him! Thank you for our friendship and for showing me an unwavering strength in the face of weakness. I ask that you continue to hold him up. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Terry Smith 
Stephenville, TX

Things That Are Not - But Are

  "As it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”   (Romans 4:17)

         Daily, every person believes. Even one who scorns the idea of faith in the eternal God daily leans on faith.  He believes the floor will support him as he steps from his bed.  He trusts the light will come on as he touches the switch.  He is confident the water is safe as he brushes his teeth.  He is convinced that his eyes accurately assess reality that he sees.  No person lives without faith in something, or in someone.

         Abraham was 75 years old when God promised him a son by his 65 year-old wife, Sarah. (Genesis 12:1ff.) Twenty four years later, the 99 year old Abraham and 89 year-old Sarah were yet childless.  “…his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and…Sarah’s womb was also dead.” (Romans 4:19.)  A gambling spirit could sooner win the Texas Lotto than this couple in history could have had a son – and through him, beget “many nations”.              

        The Bible is not recording some boondoggling myth.  The Jews you know meet on the street today came – ultimately, from Abraham’s body, “…as good as dead…and from Sarah’s womb…also dead”!  Such is the reality of the history of God’s promise to them, and of its fulfillment in the lives of today’s Jews we see with our very own eyes.  Yet, we wonder, “How?”

       “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your seed be’…he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Vs. 18-21.)

         Therein lies the lesson, and encouragement, for us.  God has power to do what He promises.  The Bible records such power at work in his raising his Son from the grave, and in his fulfilling the promises He has since made to countless servants of Jesus our Lord.  No wonder we indeed profit from daily Bible reading, and meditation.  Such reasonable faith “comes from hearing the word of God.”. (Romans 10:17.)

                                                                                                                                                                --Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas