CHFWeb: Too Much Is Really Never Too Much-Quotes to Ponder

Too Much Is Really Never Too Much

My socks were still wet. I pushed the button and prayed the dryer would get my socks dry on this cycle. I had so wanted a warm, "just out of the dryer" pair of socks for my cold feet. It was an overcast, chilly day. I couldn't find my slippers. I had chores to get done, including catching up on laundry. Was it too much to ask that the dryer would do its job so that my feet would be warm while I worked?

This little "thing" triggered an avalanche of emotions and thoughts. I started to remember past failures and tried to figure out what I could do to put an end to our present circumstances. It was all too much for me to handle. I plopped down on the top step and started to cry. When would this end? I needed relief. I needed peace of mind. I prayed, maybe pleaded is more accurate, for the Lord's help, "Please, dear Jesus, why is life so hard? Why am I dealing with all of this again and again? What have I done wrong? What should I do? Help me!"

Sigh! Well, I better do the next thing -- clean the kitchen cabinets. As I walked into the kitchen, the sun broke through the clouds. The dark, cold kitchen was suddenly bright and warm. I was reminded that God never gives me too much to handle, He makes a way of escape, and He gives me exactly what I need each day. In her Bible study, Lord, I Need Grace to Make It, Kay Arthur writes ...

Therefore, Beloved, when you suffer, you must remember the following:
First, it is not more than you can bear.
Second, God has a way of escape.

I had let my emotions and thoughts run wild. That's one sure way of bringing on doubt. In her book, Disciplines of the Heart, Anne Ortlund reminds us ...

Day by day, morning by morning, begin your walk with Him in the calm trust that God is at work in everything. ... It is your personal business, as a discipline of your heart, to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation. ... Remember, friend, where your real living is going on. In your thinking, in your reacting, in your heart of hearts--here is where your walk with God begins and continues. So when you start to move into trusting Him, stay there. Don't wander out again into worry and doubt!

I had stepped out from under the shadow of His wings. I was allowing certain situations in my life to overwhelm me. I was inconvenienced by little things like cold feet and irritated at big jobs like cleaning the kitchen cabinets. I was trying to work out my own solutions to my problems. Worry and doubt didn't hesitate to take up residence in me once I gave them the opening. I forgot that the Lord provides all; no more than I can bear; no less than I need. Kay Arthur, in another of her wonderful Bible studies, Lord, I Want to Know You, writes ...

He has held me when I have had no more strength and have wondered how I would ever make it. He has held me when I have felt defeated by all that I had to do. When I have run to my El Shaddai, I have never come away wanting. He is my all-sufficient One. O Beloved, do you understand? Have you experienced Him as your El Shaddai? If not, He is waiting--arms opened wide--for you.

It took tears, a humbled spirit, and a transformed kitchen to get my focus back on the Lord. I finished the kitchen cabinets and my dryer finally produced a warm, clean pair of socks for me. *grin* Oh, that I would constantly remember that He never gives me too much to handle. He is in every situation. He is my El Shaddai! May He bathe you in the warm light of His presence as you seek and trust Him constantly each and every day!

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. - Romans 5:3-5

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. - James 1:2-4

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 1:6-7

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. - Psalms 36:7-10

February 25, 2000
© 2000 by Kathy Ridpath
Please ask for permission to reprint this article, ridpath@chfweb.com. Thank you!

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Lord, I Need Grace to Make It
by Kay Arthur
Kay Arthur's Precept Bible Studies are excellent! This is the fourth or fifth one I've done and each one has encouraged and convicted me.--Kathy Ridpath
Paperback: *Order Now!*

The Gentle Ways of the Beautiful Woman : A Practical Guide to Spiritual Beauty
by Anne Ortlund
This book contains three books: Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman, Disciplines of the Heart, and Disciplines of the Home. I think it is not only a great deal with the three books in one volume for a very reasonable price, but it is an encouraging and enlightening read for any Christian woman. -- Kathy Ridpath
Hardcover: *Order Now!*

Lord, I Want to Know You
by Kay Arthur
Kay Arthur's Precept Bible Studies are excellent! --Kathy Ridpath
Paperback: *Order Now!*


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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13