One of my FB friends has two special needs children. I know that both of them have some severe medical problems and one suffers with seizures on a regular basis. (They have four kids total, and two are toddlers.) This friend is a strong Christian and great example in this situation, staying full of faith and hope in the midst of some things that would be exhausting and heartbreaking...
But everyone gets frustrated from time to time. And today, her "status" was that she would love to be able to do something as simple as going to the grocery store without needing help. There were several responses from people offering to come watch her kids or go and do her shopping for her. But then there was a man who responded by misquoting the verse: "The Lord never gives us more than we can handle."
Seriously!?
It was a nice example of religious piousness versus genuine relationship. My initial reaction was pretty unkind. But then I calmed down and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he is a good friend of hers who also has special needs children, and maybe he (like soooo many Christians today) has misinterpreted this verse and sincerely thought he was being encouraging.
But everyone gets frustrated from time to time. And today, her "status" was that she would love to be able to do something as simple as going to the grocery store without needing help. There were several responses from people offering to come watch her kids or go and do her shopping for her. But then there was a man who responded by misquoting the verse: "The Lord never gives us more than we can handle."
Seriously!?
It was a nice example of religious piousness versus genuine relationship. My initial reaction was pretty unkind. But then I calmed down and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he is a good friend of hers who also has special needs children, and maybe he (like soooo many Christians today) has misinterpreted this verse and sincerely thought he was being encouraging.
This verse is in reference to temptation, NOT all the difficult circumstances and emotions we will face throughout our lives. God never tempts anyone, but He does promise that we will never be tempted above what we are able to handle, and that He will give us a way out every time.
...But to tell someone who is struggling to keep their head above water that God clearly must think they can handle all of it on their own or He wouldn't have "given" it to them is just insensitive and ignorant. And not Scriptural. So that is just some free advice. lol Sometimes we desperately need the encouragement and support and tangible help of those around us (like the good Samaritan story), or need to delegate responsibility to others (like God told Moses to do when it became too much).
So if ever you are tempted to use that verse as a way to "comfort" someone while doing nothing at all to help them, this might be a better choice for you:
"Carry each others burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." ~Galatians 6:2
No comments:
Post a Comment