Finding Strength When Life Feels Overwhelming

Have you ever felt like you're carrying more than you can handle? Like the weight of your circumstances is crushing you, and you're not sure how much longer you can hold on? If so, you're not alone. Many of us have heard the well-meaning phrase, "God won't give you more than you can handle." But is this really true? And more importantly, what do we do when life feels like it's too much?

The truth is, sometimes life does give us more than we can handle on our own. The Bible doesn't promise us a life free from trials, hardships, or overwhelming circumstances. In fact, it often acknowledges the opposite. What it does promise, however, is that we're never alone in our struggles.

Let's take a moment to examine this idea more closely. The phrase "God won't give you more than you can handle" is often misattributed to Scripture. It's actually a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which states, "No temptation has overtaken 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."

This verse is specifically about temptation, not general life hardships. It's a promise that God will always provide a way for us to resist temptation, not that we'll never face overwhelming circumstances.

So, what does the Bible say about trials and hardships? James 1:2-3 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." This passage acknowledges that we will face trials, and that these trials serve a purpose in developing our faith and character.

But how do we distinguish between trials that test our faith and temptations that lead us astray? The key lies not in the nature of the circumstance itself, but in our response to it. A trial becomes a test when we choose to heed God's voice, calling us closer to him in the midst of our pain. It becomes a temptation when we listen to the voice urging us to turn away from God because of our circumstances.

In times of great difficulty, we often feel isolated and alone. We may even feel abandoned by God, much like Job did in his intense suffering. But the reality is that God's eyes are never off of us, even when we can't sense His presence. He promises to be with us always, as Matthew 28:20 reminds us: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Not only does God give us His presence, but he also gives us His people. James 5:13-16 encourages us to pray together, to confess our sins to one another, and to seek healing as a community. This passage reminds us of the power of coming together in faith, supporting one another through life's challenges.

The Apostle Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" provides a powerful lesson for us. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul describes pleading with God to remove this source of suffering. God's response? "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul goes on to say, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

This passage reveals a profound truth: sometimes God allows us to experience more than we can handle on our own so that we can experience the full extent of his power working through us. It's in our weakness that God's strength is most clearly displayed.

So what do we do when life feels overwhelming? Here are a few key takeaways:

1. Acknowledge your weakness: Don't try to be strong on your own. Admit when you're struggling and need help.
2. Run towards God, not away from him: Choose to seek God in the midst of your pain, rather than blaming Him or turning away.
3. Lean on your community: Allow others to support you, pray for you, and walk alongside you in your struggles.
4. Look for God's purpose: Even if you can't see it in the moment, trust that God can bring good out of your situation.
5. Remember God's presence: Even when you can't feel him, know that God is with you and will never abandon you.
6. Embrace God's strength: Allow God's power to work through your weakness, knowing that his grace is sufficient.

Life will give us moments that are too much for us to handle on our own. However, the good news is that we're not meant to handle them alone. God offers us his presence, His people, and His strength. When we feel crushed by our circumstances, we can choose to run to him, knowing that he excels at making beautiful things out of ashes, bringing dead things to life, and giving peace and comfort in the midst of chaos.

In those moments when you feel you can't go on, remember that while the situation may be more than you can handle, it's not more than God can handle. He sees you; he loves you, and he is with you. And in your weakness, his strength is perfectly displayed.

So today, whatever you're facing, know that you're not alone. God is with you, and he has given you a community to support you. In your weakness, may you experience the strength and grace of a God who can be trusted, no matter what life throws your way.

(Blog Post for August 31, 2025 Sermon: The Barren Fig Tree)