Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Rashional Thoughts: Relying on Christ’s strength in us the answer to difficult days

  • April 26, 2023
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Editorials by Jennifer Rash, Latest News, Rashional Thoughts
Hundreds gather April 16 in the parking lot of FBC Dadeville for a prayer vigil supporting the students, families, teachers, first responders, area ministers and others affected by the tragic mass shooting that devastated the town the night before.
(Photo by Jennifer Davis Rash/The Baptist Paper)

Rashional Thoughts: Relying on Christ’s strength in us the answer to difficult days

The cellphone rang one too many times. But it won’t happen again, at least not from that phone.

It didn’t go down easy, but my friend hacked and hacked and hacked until he busted it into 10 or so isolated pieces. The anger and frustration seeped from his body as he put down the ax and stared at the chopping block.

“Wow, that felt good,” he said, more relaxed than he had been in months. His breath evened out; his nerves unraveled. He could actually focus and think clearly.

And then the guilt hit. How could he lose control like that?

While his life circumstances are not working out like he planned, he should keep it together because “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle,” right? At least, that’s what some have told him.

And even though the dreams he and his wife once held dear are now shattered across several states and trapped inside a couple of prison cells, he rarely finds anyone willing to listen. Most feed him a trite attempt at encouragement with a little Scripture tossed in, assure him it will all work out and pat him on the shoulder as they hurry off to their next fun adventure.

He struggles to understand why God would let him suffer like this. Maybe he isn’t doing something right, he ponders. After all, the believers around him seem to have it all together while he fights exhaustion and disappointment daily.

He is most certainly overwhelmed, but the grandbabies keep him going, he shared. He’s all they have and he’s determined for them to break the cycle.

As he cries out to God for the energy to make it through one more day, he lets it all go and acknowledges he’s depleted. He has nothing left.

When we have noting left

It is at that moment — when we officially have nothing left — that Christ’s strength is magnified. Until then, we are relying on ourselves.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul says: “And He has said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ …

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The concept that “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” isn’t biblical.

This phrase is commonly referenced in the context of suffering, but it is actually a misrepresentation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which deals with temptation, not suffering.

Not alone

The fact is, we will face more than we can handle at some point in our life, and possibly more than once.

When these times come, the pain will be sharp and real. But no matter the depth of our predicament, we are not alone if we have accepted the blood-bought gift of grace provided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 reminds us “the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’

Along Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, it’s typical to see people slumped over, arms dangling and knuckles grazing the concrete. You need to watch your step, and might have to push a hypodermic needle to the side with your shoe.

IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook

International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 72 full-time, fully funded missionaries during their Sept. 27-28 meeting near Richmond, Virginia.

Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock

The 30th anniversary of Godstock — a weekend evangelistic event of Hillvue Baptist Church — gives evidence to the truth of Ephesians 3 that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Sending Celebration highlights unity as IMB missionaries prepare to go

Peter and Tina Kim know that Asians in the growing city of São Paulo, Brazil, are in a unique position. As second, third and fourth generation immigrants, many Asians in São Paulo never quite fit into the culture of those around them.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel