God Helps Us Handle What We’ve Been Given

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”  2nd Corinthians 4:7-12

Last Sunday, we launched a new sermon series entitled “That’s NOT in the Bible.” And during this series, we’ll be looking at well-known phrases that people often think are in the bible but aren’t there. And every week, we’ll unpack why these unbiblical expressions are harmful and distort the actual message of scripture. And this upcoming Sunday, we’re going to examine the problems with the well-known yet damaging cliché:

God never gives us more than we can handle. 

I’ve always hated this particular expression, to be completely honest with you. Don’t get me wrong, there’s certainly something comforting about this phrase. I mean, who doesn’t want there to be a limit to the painful and challenging things that happen to us? 

But I’ve been around long enough to know that this well-meaning religious cliché isn’t accurate or honest. Because as I survey my life and the lives of people around me, I see that life constantly presents burdens, pains, and difficulties that are bigger than us and beyond our ability to overcome. And this reality can also be witnessed in the various stories of scripture in which God’s people faced obstacles that were too much for them to handle.  

But, the responding message of scripture is that God helps us handle what life gives us. You see, life will always find new ways of making us feel overwhelmed. But amid life’s trial, God remains with us providing us with the strength, patience, peace, and inner healing that we need to face life’s obstacles. 

And because of this, we can join the apostle Paul is saying: “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

Peace,
Pastor Chris 

 
 

Leadership Council Meetings
We had to reschedule our leadership council meeting due to some unforeseen circumstances. It is now Tuesday, January 18th, at 6:30 pm in the conference room in A-Wing. Also, the minutes from November’s meeting have been formally approved. You may email Gretchen for a copy at flemingtonumc@yahoo.com.

New Worship Leaders for 2022
Our church is looking for new worship leaders who can be part of our 2022 rotation. If you are interested in helping lead worship (by sharing announcements, greeting the congregation, and reading scripture), please email our office at flemingtonumc@yahoo.com or connect with our Lay Leader Bruce LaPenta or Pastor Chris. 

Sharing Prayer Requests
If you have a prayer request, you can fill out a prayer card in the back of the sanctuary or email our Office Manager, Gretchen, at flemingtonumc@yahoo.com. We will be sure to add it to the list on the back of our bulletin. You can also email Gretchen to take off any prayer requests that are no longer relevant or needed.