As I turned out the light last night, I had a thought pop into my head that just bothered me. I turned over and jotted the thought down onto a notepad, turned out the light and have simmered on it ever since. And here it is:
I hear people say (and see people tweet) about how God won’t give us more than we can bear. Actually, that’s not true. The Bible never says God won’t give us more than we can bear. It says he won’t tempt us beyond what we can bear, but these folks I hear/see quoting it are actually misquoting it. And the thing they need to understand is that Yes, Virginia, God does allow us to be given more than we can bear. If we could bear it all, we wouldn’t need Him.
I’ve got to confess that I’m speaking to myself here. I don’t believe I’ve ever misquoted that particular scripture, but as I’m going through a time right now that I feel that I’m carrying more than I can bear, I need to be reminded that this is the time when I can actually become stronger. If a body-builder only hefted small weights, he would never become strong. And as I lean on my faith and trust God to help me carry the burdens, it also causes my faith to grow. And I promise you—I need that.
In the current chapter of Tozer that we’re discussing, he begins with the scripture that says that God’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. At this moment in time, I don’t feel like my burden is light and I guess that what that tells me is that I’m carrying too much of the burden and I need to trust God with more. Each day is an opportunity to figure out how to do that a little more and a little more. But as Mama always said, “Practice makes perfect.” One day at a time.
This post is part of the discussion about AW Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God.” If you’ve written a response to this week’s chapter, please drop by my co-faciliator, Jason Stasyszen’s place, where you can link up at the widget there. I’ll see you back here next week, where we’ll begin Chapter 10!
About Sarah Salter
Yes, Sarah…you hit it right on the head. I have heard this quoted I don’t know how many times and it does a lot of damage, especially to the one who is going through so much. It is twisted Scripture. People at their emotional and physical limit start to wonder….wow, if I am not maxed out, then what else is God going to pile on me? We need to depend on Him, and not when things are tough, when they are going well, too. I will hold you in my prayers. Lori
I get SO aggravated when I hear this scripture misquoted!! And I will say to the person, you know, that’s not exactly what it says…They need to know! And I agree 100% with your take on the fact that He gives us these difficult burdens at times in our lives to drive us to our knees and force us to look UP! And ask for help and realize our desperate need of HIM. I love your perspective! And I love you!
I have had that distinct feeling before. Things/situations seem so huge that I want to freak out, but God shows me that I’m connected and yoked up with Jesus. I realize that if He weren’t there, this thing would crush me. But He is there and He aims to see it through. I receive comfort when I see that truth. That’s why He offers us His yoke so that we can carry more than we can bear on our own. Good thoughts, Sarah. Blessings… 🙂
Lori, also, it comes across as a lie to unbelievers. They hear that and think, “I get more than I can bear all of the time! If God doesn’t help them, why would he help me?” So, it doesn’t help ANYBODY.
And isn’t that the way the enemy works? He takes something that SOUNDS like a truth or that has a little kernel of truth to it and turns it into a snare.
I love you, too, JoMama! 🙂
Jason, Dude, I gotta tell ya, this chapter could not have come at a more perfect time… 🙂