But be assured that what you can give is far more than you think–if the source of your strength is Christ.

There is a verse in the New Testament which reads:

“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

I assume this piece of scripture is the source of the oft misquoted wisdom: “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

Those two ideas could not be more different.

God will absolutely give you more than you can handle. Every. Single. Time. Why? To drive you to your knees.

What 1 Corinthians 10:13 explicitly states is that He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to handle the situation with Him.

In this world, especially if you are a caregiver, there is the temptation to take on the burdens of your own life and those of others. Hear this: You were not meant to carry any of that alone. The temptation to do so is very real, because the world–especially Western culture–encourages and celebrates overworked, overbooked, and stressed out rugged individualism. Exhaustion is a dangerous status symbol, and it does not come from the heart of God. And that kind of arrogance will ruin you.

Ask the Lord where in your life you are hogging responsibility, and then ask Him to help you carry it (and to send some brothers and sisters your way as well). His promises are true, and His Grace is sufficient for all you need and all you need to give. When we confess our limitations and ask for His help, we get to be part of what He is doing, we don’t get overwhelmed, and He is glorified.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9