Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Never too much to handle

Hey ladies

Something that has been going through my mind throughout the day that we should try to remind girls of (Christian or not). God has promised never to give us more then we can handle, he knows our limits better then we ever could. I know there is a verse in the Bible relating to this but I am not sure where. Many if not all of the girls we meet up with will be exteremly overwhelmed with all that is on their "plate", feeling like they can't be able to handle it all. We need to reassure them that God has it all under control...

Just my thoughts,
Laurie

5 comments:

Unknown said...

This is actually a very commonly quoted verse in Christian circles, but in fact the phrase, "God never gives us more than we can handle," actually isn't in the Bible. The Bible does say that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and will provide a way out. But no where are we promised that life will not ever become unbearable. In fact, stories like Job affirm how utterly hard life can be.

Paul tells us: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

We can however be assured that no matter what we are going through (or these girls we serve are going through), that God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you); that He has a plan for our (their) lives: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11, and that He works everything together for good: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose". Those are the promises we can claim that can give us (and these girls) the hope they so desperately need in their lives! It's incredible to me how God can take things that we didn't plan to happen, and turn them into the most incredible blessings. My own life is a testament to this! So many times in my life I had everything planned out only to have my plans 'messed up', but in each case what God brought to me was far better than what I had planned for myself. Even in desperately hard times, God can bring good and use those situations for good and we cling to that hope.

Ultimately I think what we need to hold onto is the knowledge that we are fully loved by the Creator of the Universe and that it's not because of anything we have done (or have not done) but only by His grace. These girls need to know that they are fully loved, passionately loved by their Heavenly Father and we are the ones who can speak that love into their lives that they so desperately seek.

It's an pleasure to serve with all of you incredible ladies! I know God has great plans for our center that He has put in place. What an honour to be called to join Him in His mission!

With love, Mel

Laurie W said...

Well said Mel, sometimes words do not come to me the way I wish they would. But you are right to clarify that God has said he will never forsake us, to me I feel this means he will always be with us no matter what our burden may be at the time. Still a very good point to bring up to any potential client open to hearing...

My thoughts
God Bless
Laurie

Unknown said...

You're absolutely right Laurie, we know He promises to be with us no matter what burden we are carrying! Words do not come easily to me either, it probably took me 20 minutes to write that comment ;) Going into this that's probably what I'm most concerned about, that I will know what to say, but our prayer is that God will speak through us to these girls and that He will prompt us on what to say and we need to trust in that (I keep reminding myself of that), but I feel so inadequate to do this. I'm always encouraged by looking at the people God used in the Bible and how He used them even though they were very imperfect :) Thank goodness!!

Ken deBoer said...

Two more verses of encouragement:


I can do everything through him who gives me strength Phillippians 4:13

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Ken

lvw said...

Thanks Ken for those verses...here's a prayer shared by a single mom from her Christian perspective. Opens our eyes as mentors as a church family.

My God, I have such a wonderful child, a most precious gift I do not deserve. My heart melts into joy each time he looks at me, each time he calls me "mommy". He would embrace me and kiss me and all my troubles will disappear in a moment. Nothing else matters except his laughter and the brightness of his eyes. You know I would give him everything. I would give him the world if i can only do it. Gladly would i sacrifice everything for him, even my own life if need be so. He brought me hope, he gave my life direction and a meaning i've never known before. Surely Lord, you have saved me through this child. Through him you have made known to me how much you love me. Bit am not worthy O God. I feel so incapable of taking care of your most beautiful gift fo me. For what can i possibly give this child? My failures? My brokenness? My shameful past? What can I teach this child? How can I could him into the person he was meant to be? What shall a single mom llke me pray? Yet you gave him to me. You've brought him into my cold shaking hands. Surely you must know my weaknesses, yet you must have also known I would call upon you to help me and to provide for me the things I cannot do. Help me O God. Heal me of my wounds so I may not pass onto him my bitterness. Heal me of my insecurities that I may teach him how to have confidence on himself. Blot out my sins that he may not be cursed for mistakes he wasn't even aware of, and so that he can have a wonderful future ahead of him. Fill my heart with love even if i'm all alone. For how can I possibly give way that which I do not have? It is not easy indeed to be a single mom. Grant me wisdom. Grant me strength to face a harsh world so I can provide for him and give him everything he needs. Say unto me Lord that I am not alone for you will be my Husband, and you yourself will be his Father. This child is blessed, this I know, and I thank you for all that you have ever done and all that you have in store for us from your boundless mercy and unceasing love.