[Thursday's Devotional] - One of the most mis-quoted verses

Back in England, I had plenty of time to think and reflect on things.  I also read an article by John Ortberg in a Leadership magazine.  The title of the article was "Don't waste a crisis".  I read with eagerness to see if it could give me any tips on how I could use 'my' crisis for the better, I was thoroughly enjoying the article and learning from it when I came to this line:

One of the most misquoted verses you'll never find in the Bible is this one: "God will never give me more than I can handle."

I couldn't believe it, the one thing I felt sure of was that God would only give me all this because He thought I could handle it, and He wouldn't give me anymore than I could handle.

I took some time to research this and see what it really meant

 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  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 [NIV]

So here we can see that actually what is said in the Bible is that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.  In another verse we can see that trials and temptations are NOT sent from God:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
James 1: 2-13 [NIV]
Victoria Saxby