God is all knowing
Within Ps 82:6 and Acts 17:29 we learn of our divine heritage as children of God. Before coming to this earth we lived with him; we are the offspring of a Heavenly Father. He knew us before we came to this earth (Jer. 1:5), this truth does not pertain to only the Prophets and those people within the Holy Bible because God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). He loves us all equally because He is our perfect Father in Heaven (Matt 5:48, 3 Nephi 12:48). He is perfect and all knowing, for He can see the beginning from the end, nothing is hid from Him.
If God is our Father in Heaven and is perfect is it not safe to say that He knows us perfectly?
Turning & Not Turning to Christ
The articles I read in regards to 1 Corinthians 10:13 emphasized that while yes God gives us more than we can bear, it is for the purpose that we will turn to Christ. Stating that Christ is our way through the trial. I love and deeply agree with this principle of turning to Christ before, during, and after our trials but I stopped to think, 'Wait, what about when I did not turn to Christ?'
There was a time that I did not have a relationship with Christ, neither believing nor worshiping him. So, what about all those trials I experienced before my relationship with Christ? Does that mean my trials weren't anything compared to those who had Christ in their life?
If we say yes God does give us more than we can bear for the intent to turn us towards Christ then it would indicate that those who do not have Christ in their life nor turn to him during their times of trials are not experiencing unbearable trials. I refuse to believe such a notion. Every one is going to face unbearable trials at one point or another during their journey, whether they believe or do not believe in Christ and whether or not they turn to Christ.
Yes, I do believe our weaknesses are to humble us. Yes, our trials are for the purpose of turning us to Christ and trusting in the Lord. And yes, God provides away for us to overcome our trials whether we believe in Christ or not and whether we turn to him or not. God is going to help us through either way.
You might be thinking, "What is the point of turning to Christ then?" This is a great question but will be discussed in a later time. The point I am trying to convey is that there is something deeper we have a tendency to over look or not even consider when we are going through a trial, our perspective.
There was a time that I did not have a relationship with Christ, neither believing nor worshiping him. So, what about all those trials I experienced before my relationship with Christ? Does that mean my trials weren't anything compared to those who had Christ in their life?
If we say yes God does give us more than we can bear for the intent to turn us towards Christ then it would indicate that those who do not have Christ in their life nor turn to him during their times of trials are not experiencing unbearable trials. I refuse to believe such a notion. Every one is going to face unbearable trials at one point or another during their journey, whether they believe or do not believe in Christ and whether or not they turn to Christ.
Yes, I do believe our weaknesses are to humble us. Yes, our trials are for the purpose of turning us to Christ and trusting in the Lord. And yes, God provides away for us to overcome our trials whether we believe in Christ or not and whether we turn to him or not. God is going to help us through either way.
You might be thinking, "What is the point of turning to Christ then?" This is a great question but will be discussed in a later time. The point I am trying to convey is that there is something deeper we have a tendency to over look or not even consider when we are going through a trial, our perspective.
Our Own Limits
Consider a small child falling down and getting a cut on their knee. There is blood, a little dirt, and a scream of murder by the child. Consider the perspective of the child. There is blood and intense pain, nothing like they ever experienced before. In their eyes this is quite possibly what it feels like to die, and they believe that they just might die. But from a view of an adult, or parent with years of experience in this world, our perspective of this trial is small. We know the child will get through it and for a time it will hurt, but ultimately they will heal and survive.
Consider a small child falling down and getting a cut on their knee. There is blood, a little dirt, and a scream of murder by the child. Consider the perspective of the child. There is blood and intense pain, nothing like they ever experienced before. In their eyes this is quite possibly what it feels like to die, and they believe that they just might die. But from a view of an adult, or parent with years of experience in this world, our perspective of this trial is small. We know the child will get through it and for a time it will hurt, but ultimately they will heal and survive.
Is not this the same role that is played out with us and our Father in Heaven? The cuts that we get are in the form of losing a job, losing a loved one, a financial struggle, a chronic disease, a conflict with a friend, or a struggle with a child. Yes, our trials seem unbearable, we feel broken, disappointed, helpless, and hopeless at times. But Gods view, as a parent to a child is perfectly clear. He knows us perfectly, our limits, our weaknesses, our strengths and abilities. He knows what we can and cannot bear.
For runners they know that it is the mind that limits their ability. There is a point that they must push past, ignoring the voice within telling them they can't, to find their true ability and strength. We limit ourselves and place a bound on what we are capable of doing. Consider running a half marathon. You are probably thinking "Oh, NO! I cannot do that." But why? Who says you cannot run a half marathon?
The Principle
Do we place a limit on what we can and cannot bear? Are we limiting our own strength and ability? Do we need to reevaluate our definition on what it means for us to bear something?
God knows us completely and perfectly. He has compete and perfect trust in us and our abilities to bear our burdens. He will not give us more than we can bear. And He does not give us trials so we can prove to him what we can and cannot bear, He already knows what we can bear. God is showing us, as we prove to ourselves, not to Him, that we can bear what may seem as too much for us to bear. We discover a strength we did not know we had. We can do hard things and we can overcome anything that is placed in our path.
Eternal matter lies within all of us. We are made of things of eternity. Nothing will be too great for us to bear because we bear the very essence of God. Christ is indeed the way. He provides us with peace, hope, and refuge from the storm. He will strengthen us and bear with us our burdens to seem like they are no longer placed upon us, but that comes when we turn to Him. We are not given more than we can bear. God trusts you and sees within you more than you see within yourself. You can do hard things, and you can get through your trials.
