Most Christians have heard this one. Most Christians have said this one. I think at one point I’ve actually said it too. But I’ve come to see that the Bible NEVER affirms it to be true….
“God will never put you in a situation you can’t handle.”
And if you buy that one, I’ve got some wonderful swampland in Florida you should consider buying…
The more I read the scriptures, the more I realize that this quote is blatantly false. In fact, it’s worse than that… it’s exactly opposite of what God typically does or what we see regularly demonstrated in the scriptures. Think about even the most well-known accounts from the scriptures…
- God’s command to Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery (who wound up handling that one? Uh… God)
- God’s command to Noah to build the ark (Who wound up bringing all the animals to the ark? Uh… God again)
- How about David’s fight with Goliath (David was confident he could kill Goliath because he was such a “dead-eye” shot with a sling… right? READ IT FOR YOURSELF)
- Jesus’ command to us to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Which of us is up for that one?
Though very well-meaning, isn’t this quote really saying more about OUR ability than it is God’s? Since when has God been all about telling us how wonderful WE are? how much WE can accomplish on our own? what good hearts WE have?
It seems to be me the message of the gospel is that we can’t do anything on our own. We’re helpless. We’re in desperate need of the grace of God – yes, even AFTER we place our faith in Him.
So back to the quote in question…
Q; Well-meaning? A: Perhaps.
Q: Accurate? A: Not on your life. In fact, it’s more akin to humanism than to Christian faith…
The Passionate Follower's Journal 