More than you can handle

Good morning! I hope you have rolled up your sleeves ready to face the challenges of the week.

At different times in our lives we all face challenges that push us well beyond the limits of human capability and understanding. The circumstances that are thrown before us are immeasurable and seem nearly impossible to cope with, much less overcome. These are the times when we feel like giving up. The times when the nights are sleepless and the voices in our head only offer greater anxiety.

In all honesty, these things truly are greater than our ability to cope with them; however, we were never meant to cope with them in our own strength and abilities. Notice the following verses from Proverbs:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Our understanding comes primarily from what we see and hear and by nature offers a very limited scope of understanding. We can only see that which is directly in front of us or that which is behind us. God on the other hand sees eternity. In His economy there is no past, present or future, only what is.

Having an eternal perspective, means that God has already responded to the crisis of today and the calamity of tomorrow. God is not caught off guard or unaware in these times of challenge. Tragedy and calamity do not sneak up on Him. In light of His perspective, you can take comfort in the knowledge that He has already made provision to see you through these times of difficulty. He has released strength, encouragement, support, etc…to help you walk, when you don’t feel like carrying on.

Today I want to leave you with a couple of verses from Psalm 34. This is a chapter of scripture that speaks volumes about difficult times and God’s provision in those times.

Psalm 34:4-7 (NLT)
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
[5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
[6] I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
[7] For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.

Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

[19] The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.

This week you may be at your breaking point, I invite you to put your understanding aside. Ask God to take the burden from your shoulders and to guide your path moment by moment. Over time you will look back and see how each step was guided and that even through this, you have somehow made it to the other side.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl