Does God promise to not give us more than we can handle?

Answer

First Corinthians 10:13 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 passage teaches us a valuable principle. If we are His, God will not permit any challenge beyond our capacity to handle in the strength of Christ. With each temptation and trial that comes our way, God will remain loyal to us; He will offer a path to withstand the trial. We do not need to succumb to sin. We can obey God in every situation.

Therefore, we receive divine support in our Christian journey. The prayer “Deliver us from evil” «And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. », (Matthew 6:13) will be heard. Nevertheless, these assurances do not imply we will never encounter difficulties; on the contrary, Jesus stated, “In this world you will have trouble” «These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.», (John 16:33a). The solution lies in Jesus’ following words, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” «These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.», (John 16:33).

Paul and his companions were severely tested as they brought the gospel into new territories. This is his testimony: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). It seems like Paul was tempted beyond what he could bear—“far beyond.” This reality leads us to another truth: our strength to withstand testing and temptation does not come from ourselves; it comes from God. That’s precisely what Paul states next: “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” «but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: », (2 Corinthians 1:9). Paul proceeds with gratitude to the Lord for His deliverance (verse 10) and an emphasis on the effectiveness of the prayers of the church (verse 11).

Whatever comes our way, whatever tempts us, any tragedy that strikes us, we are capable, in God’s power, of overcoming. In all things, we can achieve spiritual victory through Christ. Life is challenging. The truth is we often require a “way of escape.” Life is tough, but we can confront it with confidence in God’s gracious promises.

We are “more than conquerors” in Christ «Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. », (Romans 8:37). “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” «For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. », (1 John 5:4). To “overcome” the trials and temptations of the world is to prPrevail over them, just as David, in God’s strength, prevailed over Goliath. Evil schemes and disagreeable circumstances will not win the day. “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me” «Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: Yet they have not prevailed against me. », (Psalm 129:2). Our trials are for a purpose; we have the armor of God and the privilege of prayer, and God will ensure that our trials do not overcome our faith. Our position as children of God is secure; we will come through the trials intact. “I am convinced that . . . [nothing] in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).