“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32

So many demand freedom, but don’t understand its meaning. Freedom means to be at “liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint; exemption from external control, interference, regulation; the power to determine action without restraint.” — Dictionary.com

When the founding fathers spoke of freedom, and carved it into parchment, their freedom was from the control, interference and regulation of the throne of England. They were not slaves, but already free men, who wanted to govern their own lives and families. But in their success, they formed a government that now intrudes in the lives of its citizens. But whose fault is that?

All of us. Sin and brokenness. The bastardization of the idea of freedom, and the notion that freedom is really the power or right to live without boundaries or consequences.

Does God ever give us more than we can handle?

No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

But the context of this passage is in reference, rather specifically, to the reality of temptation and our ability to overcome it. While this is an awesome promise, and an important thing to understand and live in, this is not the answer to the original question.

The answer to the question, “Does God ever give us more than we can handle?”, is YES.

We are constantly dealing with one trial or another, whether great or small. As was stated recently by Pastor Greg Laurie, “We are either in the midst of a trial, just coming out of one, or are just about to enter one.”

The real question—we think—is about us, and when we are in the midst of great suffering, it can seem that it’s too much for us. But that’s the truth of it: it is too much!

“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:45

I just finished watching the animated film, “Joseph: King of Dreams”.  I have read the story of Joseph a dozen times, and each has revealed new and deeper understanding, and new lessons.

God spoke to Joseph through his dreams, and through them Joseph ultimately gained great power and great responsibility.  God’s glory spoke loud and clear to Pharoah and the people of Egypt through Joseph’s integrity and spirit.  Through him, God saved Joseph’s family as well as the whole country (later to be used for an even greater purpose).  In response to God’s glory, Pharoah gave Joseph a new name: Zapheneth-Paneah (“God speaks and he lives”).

My eyes water every time I reach the point in the story where Joseph is overcome with the joy in revealing himself to his brothers instead of making them suffer anymore for their past sins.  The reunification of this broken family through Joseph’s unconditional love and forgiveness is amazing.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive [the demon] out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:19-20

Faith IS small. We shouldn’t compare ours against His. The several times Jesus uses a mustard seed as a comparison for faith, he demonstrates that faith always starts small. But it will grow if you nurture it. And more importantly, no matter how small our faith may be, it will work its way into the hearts of those around us as long as we don’t make efforts to supress it.

Dear Father in Heaven, holy is your name. May your kingdom and righteousness come here into my life and into the lives of all who trust in you. And may your will be done through me as I pursue your righteousness and walk alongside you.

Thank you for today and everyday, as I know you have and always will provide just what I need, and for the needs of my family, however great or small they may be.

Because I understand the forgiveness you’ve given me and the mercy I continue to receive through the blood of Jesus Christ, it is easy for me to be forgiving to others, regardless of the circumstance.

Help me to stand up under all temptation so that I can remain apart from sin. Let it not be my master, but you, in everything I say and do.

For this is your kingdom, and it is for your glory and it is by your power that all things are possible. You are my God, my King, my Savior, my Refuge, my Strength. And I have no good thing apart from you. Amen.

You know, sometimes I really struggle in prayer.  I don’t always feel like my words have validity, and so I feel disconnected.  I may go through the motions anyway, but I don’t always feel that God wants to hear what I have to say at the moment.  As a result, it’s difficult to pray on others’ behalf, let alone for myself.

And at those times when I don’t feel connected to God, I’m typically in a place where I’ll decide to come back when I’m ready.

But I’ll never be ready if I’m without humility.  Being humble before God is a key component to our relationship.  If I act casually towards the Throne of God—even though he’s given me permission to approach him, even address him so personally—then I clearly don’t understand where I am.

I must be conscious of my sin—however great or small I may see it to be—and confess it all freely before God before I dare to approach his throne.   I must acknowledge my sins, and have a broken and contrite heart.  Only then can Christ’s redemptive power cleanse and purify me.  Only then am I in a position to approach the throne.

This is the same place of brokenness I found myself 25 years ago:  at the foot of the cross of Jesus.  I must return there each and every time I decide to have a heart-to-heart with him.  Because, only there, looking up at the cross of Christ, am I aware of the beautiful and awesome power of God’s love.

Only then, only there do I remember.  Only there do I remember who and where I once was.  And it’s there that I am welled-up and overwhelmed.  It’s there that all my cares fall away, and all I want is to worship and serve God.

And that’s when I’m ready to pray.