Life should be full, but often it’s just busy. We find ourselves with too many demands and commitments. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and inadequate. We think we can do it all if we just try harder, work smarter and focus. Life should by a rhythm not a race. As Christians we often lean on the Scripture from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which is frequently quoted in error as follows: “God will not put on you more than you can take.” This is a twisted version of what the Bible says. The passage states: “God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle….” That is totally different than what well-meaning Christians often cite. Temptation won’t be greater than our ability to handle and God will make a way of escape. However, God often allows us to struggle under the burden of too much in order to teach us to lean on Him. It may, in fact, be “the gift of too much”!

Scriptures – Numbers 11:13-15, 17; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 10:41-42; Exodus 18:17-18, 23; Psalm 46:10-11; Psalm 62:1; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:28

Verses– But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward. (1 Co 10:13) But the

Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:41-42) “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Ps 46:10-11)

Thought – The Old Testament leader Moses felt the weight of “too much.” He was leading over 2 million Israelites from Egyptian slavery to the promised land. However, their detour through the dessert took 40 years and Moses, at many times, felt he couldn’t go on. He was so overwhelmed at one point that he asked God to kill him, because he couldn’t take it anymore. We can learn from Moses’ experience. 1) The gift of too much teaches that some things you are doing, you don’t need to be doing. God told Moses to lay down some of his responsibility. You must keep your priorities straight, utilize your energies for what’s most important. In the Book of Luke, we read about Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is busy with all the hostess duties and frustrated at her sister Mary who is not helping, but is sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better thing. Too many people say God is important, but they expend all their energies on everything else. 2) The gift of too much teaches us to delegate. Moses was serving as counselor, arbitrator, judge, and jury for all the complaints of the Israelites. He delegated others to serve within sub-groups of the tribes and he was involved only in the most serious cases, that couldn’t be otherwise resolved. You don’t have to do it all yourself. You can have oversight without doing all the leg work. Lean on others, both physically and emotionally. You don’t have to carry it all alone. God designed us to live in community and fellowship, not to do it all ourselves. 3) The gift of too much teaches us to give some things to God. We fret and worry about much that we can’t control. God says, “Be still.” Our busyness often includes no time to talk to God and listen. In Psalm 55 we are told to throw our burdens on God. It tells us that He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. So much of our stress can be alleviated if we follow these practices. 

Questions – Do you often feel overwhelmed? Are the things you need to do or the things you can’t control more stressful? What things are you now doing that you need to stop? What things do you need to delegate? Are you spending quiet time with God? 

Response – Make a list of things you are doing that you need to stop doing. Consider duties that you can delegate to some else. Spend time with God and turn your worries and cares over to Him. Seek His strength and guidance in your daily life. Take steps to make a change that will bring relief from being overwhelmed.

Prayer – Dear Lord, I bring to you my overwhelmed heart, mind, and soul. Guide me in the path that leads to making you my priority. Help me to discern the things that are most important. In Jesus’ Name, I pray amen.