Will He Give Us More Than We Can Handle...Absolutely!

How many of us came to know God while life was favorable, things were going our way?  We weren't searching, we weren't feeling anything missing.

I doubt many.

In fact, how many of us feel closer to God when things are difficult? When we feel the need to get on our knees and realize it is just TOO MUCH to handle. We can't do it. We are too sad, too empty, too scared. We have tried filling it or fixing it, meeting it with human ways...people, money, jobs....and it is never enough.

I know I had believed for a very long time that it was scriptural that God never gives us more than we can handle. True, there is scripture that says He will always give us a way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13) ...but trials? No, there was never a promise for an easy life. There was never a promise that He wouldn't give us more than we can handle.

Honestly, we walk in a world of darkness. There is pain, suffering, trials, disease, wars, pride, immorality....we can't handle it. It leaves you empty, drained, sad and angry. It leaves you searching to fill that void. It is that darkness and our failure to fix it which brings us to God...He fills that. He is our stronghold. He carries us through. It is because of Him we can walk through those times with a peace that can't be explained. It is His desire that we come to that place where we say...I can't handle this. I need You. I need You to help me. I need You to fix this. I need You to give me peace as I move through this.

While I am here, let me also address that sometimes we go to those who can quote scripture, who attend church or maybe even have a role in the church....we think they may lead us to the answers. So often, they are the ones who disappoint us. We forget that they are walking in the life right beside us. They fail and mess up just like we do. They are not the answer. Sometimes...though they can do the things I mentioned, sometimes they haven't even found God yet. Sometimes, they are also still trying to do it on their own. If they are not pointing you to a surrender....if they are too busy telling you to stop this and don't do this, there is a good chance they are as lost as you. If they are truly pointing you to God...you'll know it by their love. They won't be full of DOs and DON'Ts....they will be full of love, grace and mercy.

So, if you are struggling and searching...if there is an emptiness. If you feel like I can't handle this...it is time. It is time to look up to Him and say, I can't handle this. I need to give you this, and the rest of my life too. I need to put you in control. Do it. Do it everyday. I truly believe we must surrender daily. We will always have struggles and things we can't handle. He will allow us to be there. Through it, He will teach us, grow us, and let us learn to depend on Him. We must fight through that constant urge to handle it all on our own, do it our way...it takes surrender.

"...though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1: 6,7

Filling Empty Spaces

As I surrender my life to God, it requires a letting go of things of this world. This is not an easy release. I have taken years to develop these habits. I walk in the house and immediately turn something on, my head gets plugged right in and before you know it my time is gone and I have allowed all things worldly to saturate my mind and our heart.

Many times I would push myself to change those habits. I wouldn't turn on the television. I would leave the computer sitting and off. However, it doesn't take long before I am back where I left.

Why? I left that time idle. I did not replace it with things that will bring me closer to God. I didn't replace my activity with things that are purer. I needed to fill those empty spaces.

I need to build new habits. I want to wake in the morning and get my coffee....settle down, open His word and pray. I want to listen to His whisperings to my heart.

In the evenings I want to spend some time reading books of inspiration and challenge of my walk.

I want to write and spend time reflecting on His work in my life. I want to share with others the struggles of this walk. I want to have an army surrounding me to fight off the enemy.

I want to get into His Word and study it, get to know Him more. I want to hear his direction for me. I want to hear Him reveal my sins and show me where I need change. I want to understand who He really is, fall more deeply in love with him.

I want to spend time building relationships of accountability and ministry.

I want to spend time just praising Him.

I want to be doing worthwhile-life-changing-actions to change the lives of others.

I have plenty to fill those empty spaces. I'm making changes...SLOWLY. My eye is on the prize. I continue to run the race.

The world is much heavier to carry...filling those empty spaces with things more pure and holy...it is uplifting and invigorating.

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God-what is good and well-pleasing and perfect."

Surrender

Surrendering is so difficult for us in so many different ways. Surrendering to God's will, God's timing...and the toughest one, surrendering ourselves to God, especially not knowing how He is going to move and work with it. We have things we want to hang on to. Thing we believe can give us happiness, pleasure and love. In the Old Testament, it was their idols...today we have our own idols. Money, media, drugs, alcohol, relationships, careers....and we hold them tightly, believing our life is better with these things. We think we know best.

We constantly want to keep our hands in feet in. We want that control. Not just of our own lives...but the lives of those we love as well. It is so hard to let go, to put our hands in the air, and just surrender. We have the fight within us, we won't allow that feeling of release, feeling as if it is a sign of weakness. We hang tightly to these things, and we are fooled by deceit and momentary pleasure.

And yet, when we do, when we let go, release and surrender, that is freedom. It is amazing, empowering, and comforting...if we are surrendering to God. And it doesn't matter what the struggle is...no matter how big, or how small. We need to let go of everything, and allow God to have that control. If He is asking for our time, our talents, our money, careers and habits...our idols, we need to let go, hand it over, and watch the blessing that comes in return.

What are you trying to control? What are you trying to handle? What is it that you are hanging on to? Are you ready....lift your hands, turn it over, allow Him to take control? Experience your freedom. Watch what happens, watch it enfold. In His perfect timing and His perfect way, allow Him to be first in your life. He who is truth, justice and righteousness.

Let us learn from those who came before;
"O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord...." Jeremiah 4: 4

May my words always be salt and light to you.