We all go through really, really hard things. There are times when you are in the middle of one of your biggest trials and think, "I simply cannot do this." In those times, we tend to find comfort in the phrase, "God will never give you more than you can handle." It means we're safe. We already have the capacity to get through this. It shouldn't be hard; we can handle this. But that simply isn't true. Our loving, merciful, caring, and omniscient Father in Heaven will give us far more than we can handle.
So why would He do that? If God loves us so much, and wants to see us succeed, why would He put more on us than we are capable of bearing? It is because He loves us so much and wants us to succeed. We were sent here to live on Earth with a purpose. That purpose is to use this lifetime to go through trials that will test, and potentially better, us so that we can eventually live with our Heavenly Father again. We are Here to bear burdens, love one another, be tempted, and go through hard things, all with the idea that we will become more and more Christ-like each day.
However, if we are only given things within our capacity, how can we possibly grow? In the words of Meredith Grey from "Grey's Anatomy," "It hurts to grow. Anyone who says it doesn't is lying." We can be quite a bit like a rose bush. In order for a rose bush to grow roses, you must first cut it down. It may seem like you are taking away its roses, but you're actually giving it the chance to grow the most beautiful roses possible. God does the same thing with us. In order for us to be able to grow into the most Christ-like people we can possibly be, we must first be humbled. We must be given trials and weaknesses.
In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul tells of how he, desperate to be rid of his weaknesses, cried unto the Lord three times. The Lord told him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul then goes on to say, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Even though Paul was an imperfect human and had weaknesses, just like each and every one of us, the Lord was using those weaknesses to better him. His weaknesses allowed Paul to be humble enough to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Although he is a weak individual, with the Lord's help, he is able to withstand all trials and become strong.
On our own, we are incapable of making it when God gives us more than we can handle. God is simply there on the sidelines, waiting for you to reach out. He is more than happy to help. He hates to see His children suffer and He wants to comfort you with His infinite and perfect love. All you have to do is ask for it. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." While you may not have the strength to handle everything our Heavenly Father throws at you on your own, with His help, you are unstoppable.
However, just because you ask the Lord for help doesn't mean that He will remove the burden. If He took the load off of your back as soon as it got heavy, you would never become stronger. It is true that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). While it will never be easy, the Lord will give you the resources, comfort, and strength you need to make it through all trials. He would not give you burdens only to abandon you and leave you to sort it out on your own. He will be with you every step of the way, as long as you invite Him to walk with you.
So yes, your Heavenly Father will give you more than you can handle. But He will do it so that you can become a better instrument in His hand, a stronger person, and a better child of God that deserves to wear the crown. And He will never leave you to handle it on your own.
"God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect." Samuel 22:33
