I can’t remember the first time I was told that God won’t give you more than you can handle. At the time, I remember unicorns 🦄 and cotton candy clouds ⛅️ 🌈 floating by. I was over the MOON 🌙 that following Him and dedicating my life to Him meant that I would never have to face a challenge that I couldn’t handle. Unfortunately, the sparkling mask of this popular biblical untruth did not live up to the promises it falsely gave.

When challenges arose, I was confused. I didn’t understand why there was so much pain and why all these situations felt too much for me to handle. 😥It was only when the unicorns ran off into the distance and the cotton candy clouds faded away that I discovered that this popular biblical untruth contained a promise that was empty, misleading, and downright unsatisfying. 😳

I am so excited to dive into the scriptures found in 1 and 2 Corinthians to help you understand why the statement “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle” is unbiblical.

However, for the sake of this article, I will be addressing this popular untruth in two parts: a) in reference to temptations of sin and b) in reference to trials and sufferings… and you will see why further below.

For the purpose of this blog post, I’ve created this beautifully designed, printable 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for Women for you! Simply click the image to download!

Quick Message to the Reader

It is likely that if you are about to read this article that you are going through a super hard season of your life. I wished I could somehow float through my computer screen and through yours to give you a hug. *FULL DISCLAIMER: I only realized how weird that would. be as I began typing this down!

The messages here today aren’t fluffy and light (like half of my posts typically are), but this message today is really meant for healing… ripping off a bandaid and instead, actually putting on the ointment/cream that will actually heal the wound.

I hope that you will stick around to the very end and will be able to find encouragement from biblical truth… even if this article/blog post makes you question a lot of things that you might have originally found yourself believing in.

BOY! I do a really good job of coming off really ambiguous don’t I?

Nevertheless, I love you heaps 💕 and want to always keep you in my prayers… I even have a prayer journal for this reason! So if you need a prayer from (most likely) halfway across the world, then send me a message here. I’d love to pray for you!

God Won’t Give You More than You Can Handle

The Verse in Question: 1 Corinthians 10:13

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. — 1 Corinthians 10:13

The popular bible verse in question is 1 Corinthians 10:13. And it is often taken out of context.

For the purpose of this blog post, I’ve created this beautifully designed, printable 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for Women for you! Simply click the image to download!

God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle | Temptations vs. Trials and Sufferings

Sometimes people take this verse out of context by substituting ‘temptations’ with ‘trials’. But is this accurate?

The phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle” will try to explain away the word “temptation” or peirasmos in Greek as a “trial”. While a Greek lexicon will show that the meaning of the Greek word peirasmos can indeed also mean a “test” or a “trial”, it still isn’t right to say that we can use this verse to claim that this verse addresses trials, tests and general sufferings.

The reason can be explained away with a quick Disney-based example (because your main girl here LOVES *most* Disney).

If I said the word “frozen” in a sentence, depending on the context, frozen could mean A. something having turned into ice as a result of extreme cold or B. the movie that made the song “let it go” every parent’s nightmare 😳 The intent and the meaning of the word will be based on the context in which I use it.

The concept of looking at words according to the context it is in should be applied to peirasmos as well. Does peirasmos here mean: a) temptation to sin or b) undergoing trials that cause suffering?

SO WHAT IS THE CONTEXT HERE?

When we dive into scripture and carefully look at the context from which we drew the verse from, we can see clearly that the intent of 1 Corinthians 10 was talking about temptation to sin. Throughout it addresses different types of sinning such as those who “desire evil” (v. 6), “idolators” (v.7), sexual immorality (v.8) and those who “put Christ to the test” (v. 9).

With these verses, we can see that the meaning of “peirasmos” in this passage is to address the temptation of sin, and it is not about undergoing a general sense of suffering. So with this in mind, for the first half of the article, we will be addressing the untruth of “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle” with the context and meaning of temptations to sin and in the second half of the article, we will be addressing this assumption for those who have taken this verse to mean tragic circumstances, hardships you may be facing or a general sense of suffering ☺️

Part One: In the Context of Tempation of Sins

So is it True or False that God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle?

God warned Cain once that “sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). No matter where we are, sin is close by. But no matter where we are, God is always faithful. We will most certainly be tempted to do a lot of things, but the solution to all these temptations has been given through the mercifulness of God! This means even though sin will try and overcome you, there is a way to escape so that you can endure it.

So just as the Israelites have been tempted in the past, Paul is forewarning the Corinthians that they will too… and so will we. This passage isn’t about God refusing to give you more burdens and temptations than you can handle. Rather, this passage shows us exactly how glorious the mercy of God is, that He would desire to give us a way out and help us overcome our temptations. There is no temptation ‘too great’ because the solution we have been given by the mercy of God is great enough to overcome every kind of temptation.

WHY THE BATTLE OVER OUR TEMPTATIONS HAS ALREADY WON

We can rest in full confidence knowing that even if the mean girl says something that leaves a sour taste in our mouth, we don’t have to give into the temptation to say something snarky and hurtful back. There is a way out. There is always a way out. And the way out always points to God’s goodness.

The only person in the Bible to have ever successfully overcome all temptations is Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:1-11). So yes, the temptations that you face will be more than you can handle… because you can’t overcome any of these temptations without the help of our loving God. So look to Him for it is HE who has provided the way out for EVERY temptation that comes your way.

For the purpose of this blog post, I’ve created this beautifully designed, printable 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for Women for you! Simply click the image to download!

So What is the Purpose of All These Temptations We Go Through?

The truth is, God will give you more than you can handle. However, we can not claim that temptations come from Him because…

God can not be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)

However our God is a God that uses ALL things for the good of His Kingdom (Romans 8:28). So even amongst all the temptations, He can still use it for His good.

We can also rest in joy knowing that it is only by overcoming these temptations through Christ that we can experience true freedom.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12

*note: this verse was written in the context of temptations as the following verses James 1:13-15 (as seen above) was written with sins and temptations in mind.

Part Two: In the Context of Trials and Suffering

So is it True or False that God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle?

Life can be hard.

Some days have me curled up in a ball eating ice cream straight out of the ice cream scooper.

Some of the hardships that I had been going through (which involved a whole bunch of change that I was not totally prepared for), caused me to start doubting God’s goodness to me.

And from all the emails that I get from so many of you, I know that I am not alone in this. I know that so many of you also feel the pressures of life and wonder why you’re going through such a hard season.

Regardless of whether you are going through financial struggles, a terrible breakup, grief over a lost one, battling anxious thoughts or any other kind of adversity in your life that has you feeling like there is no way out, just know that there is a promise!

WHAT IS THE PROMISE YOU HAVE IN THE MIDST OF HARD TIMES?

The promise within the pages of scripture isn’t so that you won’t have to go through tough times… because if I am to be super blunt with you, you are actually promised that you are going to face some killer days when even chocolate chip ice cream isn’t going to cheer you up. (John 16:33)

Rather, scripture promises that in all times, both good and bad, God wants to be our protector and our strength. So while God doesn’t promise that He will not give you more than you can handle, God will help you to endure everything that comes your way. So even when bad things happen, we can trust Him and rely on Him for His strength and His faithfulness.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” — Psalm 46:1-3

The Suffering of Paul and the Early Church

If that isn’t enough to show you that God will give you more than you can handle, then take a look at 2 Corinthians 1 where you can clearly see in v.8-11 that God may allow someone to suffer more than they can handle.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 Bible Verse…

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. 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. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

From this short passage, we can see that Paul and his friends were “far beyond their ability to endure, as they despaired of life itself”. If that isn’t a cry for a suffering that is too much for them to handle, I don’t know what is. But, we can be encouraged by what follows next… even though Paul felt like the pressure and trouble was far beyond their own ability to endure, He continues on to praise God that “this happened so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God”… and that “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again”.

So while the suffering was too much for them to handle, it was NOT too much for God to handle. And God could use their suffering for good.

For the purpose of this blog post, I’ve created this beautifully designed, printable 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for Women for you! Simply click the image to download!

So Why Does God Allow Suffering?

God didn’t create suffering for the world. Suffering is the result of a broken and sinful world. However, our God is sovereign and does permit it to happen. He desires a world without sin and suffering, but being the sovereign ruler of the world, He permits suffering for this time for His purpose. Because, in ALL things, God can use for the good of those who love Him. So even suffering can bring about a lot of good for us and for His Kingdom.

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God will give you more than you can handle because even though Paul knew from the beginning that the almighty God had the power to remove the darkness and suffering if He so wished, God showed Paul his weaknesses in order to show him His strength.

So, even though suffering sucks sometimes, we can see throughout all the verses mentioned in this blog post that Paul got to experience the goodness of the Lord because of all these sufferings… and that in itself, is one of the greatest joys of all.

For the purpose of this blog post, I’ve created this beautifully designed, printable 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for Women for you! Simply click the image to download!

The Main Takeaway of God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle?

Instead of saying that “God won’t give you more than you can handle” and offering a cheap bandaid to Christians with massive wounds, its time to offer them the best healing gift of all… reminding them that God will be there to give them all the grace, all the strength and all the hope that they need in every situation that they encounter.

If we water down the gospel into feel good messages, then when the hard times inevitably come, people will be left hurt, alone and frustrated that the God that they believed in (the one who would never allow them to suffer) comes to a massive halt. It isn’t helpful to set up believers with a cheap message that brings joy for a moment, but only serves to bring anguish when it’s falsehood comes to light. This falsehood masked as light does not equip believers with the real deal on what will actually help them to overcome temptations and trials in their life.

But most of all, believing in the saying “God doesn’t give you more than you. can handle” is in actual fact, incredibly self-centred. It encourages the listener to focus on their own personal strength and ability to overcome situations rather than glorifying their God who can deal with ALL circumstances, trials, sufferings and temptations.

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Final Word to My Sweet Friend 💕

If you are reading this blog post, then it is likely that you are going through something that is more than you can handle. Regardless of what it is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I pray that you will drop down to your knees and ask God for His help. But I also hope that you will reach out to someone trusted in your life that can support you during this time. God puts people in your life so that you can live in Godly fellowship and community 💛 to love and support one another.

You are not alone my sweet friend! So if you need someone to chat to or to talk to, feel free to contact me by emailing me here. I respond to every. single. email.

Hey! I Hope You Liked This Blog Post on if it’s True that God Won’t Give You More than You Can Handle …

Drop a comment in the comment section below and let me know if there is a Bible verse that particularly encourages you when you are going through something that you know you can not handle on your own! I’d love to hear from you… seriously!

Here are Some Other Relevant to Resources You Might Like…

If you liked this blog post on why saying God will never give you more than you can handle is not biblical, you might also like…

—> 5 Biblical Truths for the Girl Going Through a Hard Season (+ free downloadable devotional)

—> 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Bible Study for the Suffering Girl (+ free printable Bible study)

—> Psalm 23 Bible Study for the Girl Who Needs God’s Peace and Promises (+ free printable Bible Study)

—> How to Trust God When Bad Things Happen (+ free downloadable devotional)

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