A Theology of Hope

So the question is this, is this oft quoted statement true or misleading?

“God never gives you more than you can bear.”

When people make this statement they are probably referring to this passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) which says

"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."

Much like some concepts or phrases that Christians quote, the Bible does not actually say that statement in those exact words. But the question really is does the Bible teach what that statement implies?

Looking primarily at 1 Corinthians 10:13, this verse will have a direct relationship to this concept of burden bearing mainly if we understand burdens as temptations to sin.

If the problems and trials of this life are seen as a temptation to not trust in God or to not believe that God is greater than our problems then yes, God will not give us burdens that will be too heavy for us.

However, if we see burdens as those experiences which test our sense of independence or our ability to will our way through life then no, God doesn’t promise that this life will be easier for His disciples nor fair in its treatment of those who profess Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) says,

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This passage teaches us that there are burdens that we don’t have to carry. Now this may seem contradictory to the idea that God will not give us a burden that is too heavy for us but it’s not. What I am saying is that if we think we are carrying a burden that seems to be too heavy for us then it means God is either telling us that we are not meant to carry that burden in the first place or if we connect that to Galatians 6 (Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]), we are not meant to carry it alone.What this means is that during times when we feel overwhelmed by the things that may be happening to us, God tells us it’s okay to feel weak and say "I'm not meant to carry this burden alone."

2 Corinthians 12:9,10 (ESV) says

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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It’s okay to say that I am not strong. It’s okay to say that I’m tired. It’s okay to say that I feel I want to give up. Its okay to feel and say these things because we know that in our weakness God is able to show His power at work in our lives. We recognize that even the strongest and most independent people in this world have a limit to their capacity to handle adversity. We gladly concede to this because doing so does not mean giving up. It is recognizing our human limitations and allowing God to do what only He can do.

In conclusion, I think we are meant to arrive at a place where we can say like Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10... "We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair". So yes, there may come a point in our lives when we feel that our lives are falling apart and that we don’t think we can go on anymore.  We just have to remember that these were never meant to bring us to the point of despair and hopelessness. We are encouraged not to lose heart. Instead we are reminded than in our weak and frail bodies “..we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”