Why the Unbearable Isn’t Unbearable

Copyright 2007 by Shea Oakley

All rights reserved

Nothing a believer is allowed by God to go through is more than that believer can bear. To be more specific nothing that God allows us to go through that is part of His plan for our sanctification will be too much for us to stand if we depend on Him and His resources moment by moment for strength.

There are times in life when circumstances can seem like mountains of the Mt. Everest class. Perhaps some problem that has been present for years finely has to be faced. Or maybe the thing in question is completely new. Sometimes it might even be a combination of both, a new situation that forces us to deal with old demons. Whatever the nature of the challenge it is one that cannot be ducked. We are faced with two choices, beat the problem or be beaten by it.

One of the reasons believers sometimes get defeated in the battles of life is because the trouble looming before them seems unbearable. If something feels unbearable, we are tempted to assume it is. Giving into that temptation is usually a big mistake for three reasons. The first reason is that what we think we can survive and what we actually can survive are often two different things. The second is that we forget that nothing worthwhile in life is gained without much travail. The third reason is that Jesus told us faith “like a mustard seed” can move mountains.

If the author had a dollar for every time he thought he was being stretched beyond the breaking point he would be a multi-millionaire. The challenges of existence in a fallen world can sometimes seem overwhelming to the extreme. It can feel like the pain that results from our wounds and wounding is about to destroy us. But at such moments we call out to God for mercy and help and somehow He brings us through, every time. Know, struggling believer, that what you feel does not often reflect reality.

Nothing that has enduring value is easily attained. One might feel tempted to claim that the free gift of salvation is, but it is not. When Paul talks about working out our salvation with fear and trembling he is not kidding. We do not earn our salvation but, paradoxically, walking it out is the most costly thing we will ever do. The same is true of the other valuable things in life. Think of the difficulty married people have in keeping their marriages healthy or parents have in raising their children. Neither is easy yet good marriages continue to thrive and good children continue to be raised.

Finally there is the mustard-seed principle. Our Lord means what He says and He told us that even what seems like a little faith can cause incredible things to happen. It is of great importance that we really take Him at His word on this one. It sometimes takes less faith than we think to effect profound change. People who forever are trying to summon up some kind of superhuman belief under the assumption that only perfect faith will achieve anything for them are some of the unhappiest individuals around. God does not expect the faith of a Paul or a David from everyone all the time (and even these men had their times of struggle). He works with the faith we have and gently helps our trust in Him to grow through the patient love He manifests towards us. What may seem like little faith to us can sometimes go a long way simply because He honors the faith we have at the moment.

Nothing is insurmountable that God permits for our good. It may seem that way during our worst times but those times pass. If we truly love and follow Jesus Christ we will have eventual victory over every challenge that faces us. This is the enduring birthright of the children of God.