God doesn't give you more than you can handle...or does He?

--I revived this from one my recent Facebook posts, mostly because I want to have it in a place where it's easy for me to share--

While recently counseling a former employee, I shared something that really changed my outlook on God and life and problems. I don't claim to be the original thought maker, but I don't remember anyone putting it to me this way--it's just how it came together for me. I may have shared bits and pieces over the last year, and if you counseled me, you may notice some of your thoughts mixed in...

I've heard my whole life that God won't ever give you more than you can handle. I am now going to tell you that I wholeheartedly disagree with that statement, and that sentiment, no matter how wonderful it may sound. In fact, I think God often allows us to experience more than we can handle--sometimes briefly, and sometimes for a long period of time. I think He does this to remind us upon Whom we are to rely. The longevity and severity of the experience likely has to do with how resistant we are to the message, and what He wants us to do with the lesson.

There are rampant opinions on the subject, most from people much more educated and with more theological standing than me.  However, due to the nature of the internet, and the ease with which one can create a blog, and the fact that you are here reading, you must have at least some desire to read about the Things Scott Thinks About.

A young pastor I respect very much helped my view on this greatly when I was sobbing and asking why I was being punished, and how long would it last?  The basic gist I took from his speaking is that if we look to God as our spiritual Father, then it would be incumbent on Him to dispense discipline as needed for our spiritual growth and well being.

I don't believe for a minute that Heidi and I went through the mess that we went through just to prove how miserable a human being can make himself, given enough latitude. I believe that first and foremost the intent was to get me to the point of relying on God first, and nothing else, and a secondary outcome was (hopefully) to help other people.

My message to my friend I was talking to was delivered gently, but from the perspective of experience. It was not until I stopped being angry at others and at God and trusted that He had a greater plan than what I knew that I started to garner some peace, and ultimately some resolution. I did not LIKE the idea of being divorced; I did however, ultimately accept it, and prayed to God for understanding and guidance as to how to move forward.

Because I struggle to get this point across, I leaned on the great philosopher tobyMAC, of dcTalk fame, and remembered these lyrics:

"Now when youre down and feelin out
I know ya take it to the Lord
But those times when ya got the clout
Do you take it to the Lord?

When youre outta cash and ya rent is due
I know ya take it to the Lord
But when youre livin large and you got the juice
Do ya take it to the mighty Lord?"

I think, sometimes, that suffering reminds us that we are not as big as HE, and begins to turn our perspective back to one that glorifies Him and His plan.

I hated what Heidi and I went through. I honestly don't even like talking about it all that much, because it's so real and fresh that it's easy to get sucked back into the emotion and negativity and ugliness of it, even just relaying a story.

I do, however, praise God in a big way for where Heidi and I are now, and I know that we couldn't have gotten here on our own, given the path we set upon ourselves.

I hope that makes sense and helps somebody somewhere.