True or False: God Won't Give You What You Can't Handle

How do you view suffering? Do you see it as a test from God? I know many people, especially Christians, who love saying to a suffering friend, “It’s OK. You will be OK. God won’t give something you can’t handle. God is just testing you. Pagsubok lang ’yan!” It’s a statement we love making with the beautiful intention of encouraging the other person remain steadfast in the face of trials.

- Velden Lim

In fact, this slogan is often said in relation to 1 Corinthians 10:13 where Saint Paul said, “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out” (GNT). However, if we look at that statement more closely, it may not actually help us, because it paints a problematic picture of God in our minds.

Let me tell you why.