God gives us more than WE can handle

I read this article in the Deseret News last week and nodded my head the entire time.  

As a matter of fact, the cute sister missionaries came over for dinner recently and as their closing message one of them shared a spiritual thought:  "God never gives us more than we can handle".  I smiled as she gave her message but at the end, I admitted that I disagreed...a little. 

I think God gives us more than we can handle sometimes. 

He has given me more than I can handle on my own.  

He just doesn't give us more than we can handle with Him on our team.

There have been many times over the last seven years when I absolutely, positively felt without a shadow of a doubt that I had been handed more than I could navigate on my own.  Sometimes it has stirred me to pray more, read more scripture, request priesthood blessings, go to the temple for peace, solace, refuge, and inspiration.  Sometimes my trials have encouraged me to lean on others for help.  There was the time that I went to talk with a church therapist because I wasn't sure why I was such an emotional mess.  (See post about that back here.)  There were times I reached out to close friends for comfort, advice, and encouragement.   Most notably, there were times when it brought Brent and I closer as we tried to make our way through the mayhem shoulder to shoulder.  

I think Heavenly Father allows us to be handed more than we can handle on our own ALL THE TIME.  He wants us to learn that we are not alone and that by letting others help us, we are stronger. 

But most of all, He wants us to turn to Him.  Man, I have felt that.  His influence helping to guide me, time and time again!  

It has always bothered me that people say to others when they are going through a REALLY hard trial or crisis, "God won't give you more than you can handle".  If that were true - the suicide rate wouldn't be what it is.  For that matter, the depression rate wouldn't be what it is.  God just wants us to learn that we don't have to do it all alone.  We can lean on others.  We can always lean on him.  He stands at the door, waiting for us to knock.