Relying on God's Strength Through Life's Burdens

Summary

Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the journey of life, much like a marathon, where we often encounter moments of hitting the wall. This metaphorical wall represents the burdens and challenges that weigh us down, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unable to move forward. These burdens can be illness, deadlines, heartbreak, or fear, and they compound, making us feel like we're carrying an elephant on our shoulders. In these moments, we might hear the well-meaning but misguided phrase, "God will never give you more than you can handle." However, this is a myth. The truth is, God will not give us more than He can handle.

The Bible verse often misinterpreted to support this myth is 1 Corinthians 10:13, which speaks about God providing a way out of temptation, not burdens. Temptations and burdens are different; while God provides a way out of temptation, burdens can indeed be overwhelming. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 1:8, shares his experience of being crushed and overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure, teaching us that God allows us to face more than we can handle so that we learn to rely on Him.

Relying on God is not just for the moments of crisis but a daily practice. It's about inviting God into our everyday lives, seeking His guidance, and trusting in His power, which is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This reliance builds our confidence in God, preparing us for when life's pressures become too much. Just as fish are designed to withstand the ocean's pressure, we are equipped with the Holy Spirit's power to withstand life's pressures.

Our next steps involve learning to rely solely on God, placing our confidence in Him, and practicing this reliance daily. This journey is about building a relationship with God, where we trust Him to handle what we cannot.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Burdens and Temptations: Life's burdens, such as illness and heartbreak, are not temptations. While God provides a way out of temptation, burdens can be overwhelming, teaching us to rely on Him rather than ourselves. [07:48]

2. God's Strength, Not Ours: The myth that God won't give us more than we can handle is debunked by understanding that God allows us to face more than we can handle to teach us reliance on His strength, not our own. [09:59]

3. Daily Reliance on God: Building a habit of relying on God daily, not just in crises, strengthens our faith and prepares us for life's challenges. This daily practice invites God's guidance and power into our lives. [14:30]

4. Confidence in God's Power: As we rely on God and witness His work in our lives, our confidence in His ability to handle our burdens grows. This confidence is built through daily experiences of God's faithfulness. [19:59]

5. The Power Within Us: The Holy Spirit's power within us is greater than any external pressure. Learning to access and rely on this power equips us to face life's challenges with confidence and peace. [31:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:15] - Hitting the Wall
- [04:30] - Visualizing Life's Burdens
- [07:48] - Misinterpretation of Scripture
- [09:59] - Paul's Overwhelming Experience
- [12:30] - Learning to Rely on God
- [14:30] - Daily Reliance on God
- [19:59] - Building Confidence in God
- [23:36] - Next Steps: Relying on God
- [25:17] - Confidence and Trust in God
- [31:10] - The Power Within Us
- [31:50] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
- [34:28] - Prayer and Reflection
- [35:12] - Closing and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. What does 1 Corinthians 10:13 say about temptation and God's role in it?
2. How does Paul describe his experience in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, and what does he learn from it?
3. In the sermon, what are some examples of burdens that people might face in life? [07:48]
4. How does the pastor illustrate the concept of "hitting the wall" in life? [07:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the distinction between temptations and burdens affect our understanding of God's promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13? [07:48]
2. What does Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 teach us about relying on God during overwhelming times? [09:59]
3. How can the metaphor of fish withstanding ocean pressure relate to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives? [31:10]
4. Why might it be challenging for people to rely on God daily, as suggested in the sermon? [14:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's burdens. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? [09:59]
2. The sermon suggests that God allows us to face more than we can handle to teach us reliance on Him. How can you practice relying on God in your daily life, not just during crises? [14:30]
3. Consider the phrase "God won't give you more than He can handle." How does this perspective change your approach to challenges you currently face? [09:59]
4. What are some practical ways you can invite God's guidance and power into your everyday decisions and actions? [19:59]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to rely on God. What steps can you take this week to shift your reliance from yourself to Him? [23:36]
6. How can you build confidence in God's power by recognizing His work in your life? Share a recent experience where you saw God at work. [25:17]
7. The sermon mentions the power of the Holy Spirit within us. How can you become more aware of and access this power in your life? [31:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Distinguishing Burdens from Temptations
Life presents us with various burdens, such as illness, heartbreak, and overwhelming responsibilities. These are not to be confused with temptations, which are situations that entice us to stray from our values or commitments. While God promises a way out of temptation, burdens can often feel insurmountable. This distinction is crucial because it shifts our focus from self-reliance to divine reliance. Understanding that burdens can be overwhelming allows us to seek God's strength and support, rather than trying to manage everything on our own. This perspective encourages us to lean on God, who is always ready to help us carry our burdens. [07:48]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Reflection: Identify a burden you are currently facing. How can you invite God into this situation to help you carry it?

Day 2: Embracing God's Strength
The common saying that "God won't give you more than you can handle" is a misconception. In reality, God sometimes allows us to face more than we can manage on our own to teach us to rely on His strength. This reliance is not a sign of weakness but a profound acknowledgment of God's power and presence in our lives. By understanding that God is with us in our struggles, we can find peace and strength beyond our own capabilities. This shift in perspective helps us to trust in God's ability to handle what we cannot, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [09:59]

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (ESV): "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed. How did you see God's strength at work in that situation?

Day 3: Cultivating Daily Reliance on God
Relying on God should not be reserved for moments of crisis but should be a daily practice. By inviting God into our everyday lives, we open ourselves to His guidance and power. This daily reliance builds our faith and prepares us for life's inevitable challenges. It is through these daily interactions with God that we learn to trust Him more deeply and recognize His presence in all aspects of our lives. By making reliance on God a habit, we strengthen our spiritual foundation and become more resilient in the face of adversity. [14:30]

Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."

Reflection: What is one small way you can practice relying on God today in your daily routine?

Day 4: Building Confidence in God's Power
As we rely on God and witness His work in our lives, our confidence in His ability to handle our burdens grows. This confidence is not built overnight but through daily experiences of God's faithfulness. By reflecting on past instances where God has provided and supported us, we can strengthen our trust in His power. This growing confidence allows us to face future challenges with assurance, knowing that God is with us and will continue to guide and support us. [19:59]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Recall a specific instance where you saw God's faithfulness in your life. How does this memory encourage you to trust Him with your current challenges?

Day 5: Accessing the Power Within Us
The Holy Spirit's power within us is greater than any external pressure we may face. Learning to access and rely on this power equips us to handle life's challenges with confidence and peace. This divine power is not something we have to earn or strive for; it is a gift that is already within us, waiting to be tapped into. By recognizing and embracing the Holy Spirit's presence, we can navigate life's difficulties with a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that we are never alone. [31:10]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life today? What steps can you take to rely on this power more fully?

Quotes

Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:

1. "We were beyond our ability to do anything about it. Now, we don't know exactly what Paul's referencing. Paul has a wide range of crazy things that happened to him. A lot of people think that he's referencing a riot that took place that he was involved in. Now, we read things like that, and we'll talk about some other things that Paul experienced. But sometimes you read through the Bible, and we're like, oh, right, and we just kind of move on. But think for a minute, like, what that experience would be like. Like, imagine you're downtown Georgetown. You're at the square. You're just living your best Saturday. Something happens. People start getting angry. A riot starts to form. It's mob mentality. There's hundreds of people. It's starting to get couples of hundreds, maybe thousands, and people are coming to the square. And they're angry. There's people that are acting violent. They're yelling. Somebody's lit something on fire. And you're kind of trapped. And their police are coming. You're like, I don't want to move towards the police because I don't want to get tear gassed. I don't want to move towards the riot. I've got my kids with me. I've got my family. What do I do? You could start feeling what it would be like. Now, here would be the worst part. It would be really bad to be caught in something like that. Even worse, if you're the reason why the riot started, which was Paul." [11:00] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Paul's faith and his talking about Jesus got people real riled up and started a riot. He's not just survived a riot. He is. He was the purpose of the riot. So people weren't just looking for a fight. They were looking for him. We just read it. Like, all right, okay, move on. But Paul's experienced that. He's lived that. We don't know for sure that's what he's referencing. He could have been referencing prison. Paul spent time in prison. I haven't. But I can imagine it feels overwhelming." [12:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul dealt with illness he dealt with shipwrecks like i couldn't even imagine being on a boat in the ocean that shipwrecks and thinking you're going to drown but he went through all of these things paul was stoned not like 420 austin like what it's a they would push someone off of a cliff or off of a ledge and take rock stones and throw them down on top of them as punishment like a death sentence paul was stoned pushed off the cliff rocks dropped he actually survived it got back up walked into the town that did it to him and started preaching the gospel again because paul was that dude like paul was pretty incredible it could have been any of these things but he's experienced some overwhelming things and he references one thing and the words he says again he says we were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure and we thought we'd never live through it" [12:41] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "a five -ton boulder his friend luckily was there was on the phone with 9 -1 -1 for six hours and in the midst of that experience kevin said to his friend josh he said i'm gonna i'm gonna die here he said there there is there there's no way out of this even even if they get to us and we've been on 9 -1 -1 for six hours even if they get to us how are they going to move a five -ton boulder without it killing me i always get blamed uh chastised for not finishing stories when i move on into the stories he did get rescued he saved that's not really part of the story but i don't want to get chastised by my wife afterwards for not finishing the story but the point is this like paul says i was crushed i was overwhelmed paul feels like that proverbial laying in that hole with a five -ton boulder on top of him going i'm not making it out this is it i cannot overcome this life has hit rock bottom there's too much going on there's too much pain and heartache and hurt and paul said i lived it the same guy who said hey if temptation comes there's a way out says hey god won't give you more than you can handle i'm living that i can't handle it i can't i can't survive it but what he says later is god won't give you more than he can handle look at what he says he actually in the very next verse now he says in fact we expected to die that that's where he's at we expected to die but as a result because of that experience as a result we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on god who raises the dead okay there's the there's the shift i went from being overwhelmed and crushed and i can't go any further the burdens of life are too much god please let it stop someone comes along and says god won't give you more" [14:30] (111 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "than you can handle false he won't give you more than he can handle when you learn to rely on God that's what Paul says he says we learned how to rely on God I tell you that's hard for us because we don't live in a world that's that's really good about accepting help we're a and we're Texans we pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps mentality like like we don't need help and I see it in some ways some ways I push back against that like a couple weeks ago two weeks ago my father passed away it was a kind of a it was a shock he had ALS and so we knew that at some point that was coming we just weren't expecting it to come 30 hours after we just saw him and he was totally fine and in the midst of that people text you and that's you know so sorry and praying for you so appreciate that and then some people text and they say hey there's anything we can do let us know you you've gotten those texts before most of us get those and we have needs we have things but even though someone said hey I'll help let me know I want to help tell me what to do we just gonna know about I'll handle it I'll do it on my own I'm gonna tell you right now don't ever text me I took everyone who said hey can we help I put them all in a group that thread it was a Thursday Sunday was coming so here's what I need before Sunday you asked if you could help here it is I'll do that but there's times too that even though I'm good in some of those areas I love to see the church serve there's times where like I'm like no like this Friday when we were on that college visit I wasn't feeling real well and and every my wife and people ask hey you need this and I'm like I'm fine I'm fine I mean I really wasn't I was throwing up I'm fine I'll be okay you know when people are asking to help but I'm like I got this because we just default to that so if we struggle relying on the people that we know love us and are tangible and there" [16:21] (110 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "and texting us. How difficult is it to rely on a God who sometimes we pray and feel like He doesn't hear us? How difficult is it to rely on God sometimes when we can't see Him or touch Him? Like, that's difficult. But Paul says, hey, if you want to survive the things that you can't, you're going to have to learn to rely on God." [18:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God who raises the dead. There's the key. Like, the power that raised Jesus from the grave is the same power available to you and I. On Wednesday nights with our students, we've been talking about the Holy Spirit the last three weeks. And we've been talking about His power, His dunamis power, His dynamite power, the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead and raised others from the dead and healed diseases and did miracles resides in the Holy Spirit who is God and who resides in you if you're a follower of Jesus. And so when those things come, those bara luzes, things happen, when we feel overwhelmed, we've got the power of God inside us. We just have to learn how to rely on it. And we have to be able to say, hey, God, this is about you. I can't do this. You can. God, I need help. And you're the only one that can help. And then he says this, he closes in verse 10, this thought." [18:30] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "He says, and he did rescue us from mortal danger. Now look at this. And he will rescue us again. He did rescue us and he will rescue us. We've placed our confidence in him and he will continue to rescue us. See, in that moment when you feel like you can't go further, when you feel like the weight of the world is on you, when you're that arm reaching out from the rubble, it's in that moment that you have to rely on God. That's your only way out. But here's one of the keys." [19:27] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "you've got to be relying on him every day. Like you've got to figure out how to turn your life to rely on God this afternoon. And how to rely on God on Monday. How to rely on God on Tuesday evening. Not just when the trouble comes, but every day because you've got God who's saying, hey, I've designed your life. I've got, I know what's best for you. And here's what happens. If we start learning how to, excuse me, rely on God on Tuesday and you get up, here's what it looks like. Like you go to work and you start saying, hey, like, Lord, show me what to do today. Lord, today's your day. Today's not my day, God. I just want to walk where you want me to walk. I want to speak what you want me to speak. I want to do what you want me to do because God, I'm relying on you. I'm not relying on myself. I know how to do life, but I don't know how to do life like you want to. So Lord, I'm going to rely on you. What's going to happen is God's going to start doing things in your life and you're going to start seeing conversation happens and then God move you someplace and you're going to start seeing the work of God in your life. And all of a sudden as you rely on him, daily, and you grow that in your life, when the difficult time comes, it's not as difficult to rely on God because you've figured out how you've been doing it. And he says, you got to rely on God because you've got that power in you. It's an everyday thing. Sometimes, sometimes God is going to allow some bad things to happen." [20:01] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Sometimes he allows some bad things to happen. And sometimes those bad things are going to make you stronger because you relied on it. I love, I love Navy SEAL stuff. I love special forces stuff. My dad was military. So I think I grew up kind of in that military world and love kind of the elite of the elite. I've watched some things, Navy SEALs. I watched Bud's training, things like that. One of the things they do for Navy SEALs and Bud's training is they will throw the SEALs when they're in training." [21:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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