Jeff Adams

Dear Job,

I hope you don’t mind me using the newest technology that allows us to transcend both space and time, to contact you, but I have questions only you can answer. I wrote a book about you some years ago and found the story of your life to be both an inspiration and an enigma, even though there is much about your culture and times that we do not understand. I am indebted to you because your example has given me hope and strength on many occasions.

Job, I am writing to you because I want to solicit your help. The other day two very fine ladies posted comments on my blog, both of them asking questions about those who suffer as victims. The first comment questioned the meaning of a phrase many believers use today. One of several variations of this phrase it is “God will never give you more than you can handle.” She deals with women who have often suffered unspeakable abuse and are reeling from the consequences. It’s hard for her to understand why a loving God would ever want to push someone to such an extreme as to have to handle the consequences of another’s sin.

Those of us in the New Testament era use phrases like “God will never give you more than you can handle” as a way to express what the Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians. To be exact, he said that God will not allow us to be tempted above that we are able (1Corinthians 10:13). The word “temptation” causes her to think that this may be talking about being tempted to sin rather than dealing with suffering.

A second woman responded to the first woman’s comments. She has a son with permanent brain damage from a failed suicide attempt a few years ago. Her questioning began with the famous, “Why me?”  She wonders why she was chosen to handle such a life-changing situation and why her son was chosen to continue to live in such a state.

You might want to see their own words, Job, at www.drjeffadams.com. Both of these ladies are articulate and neither demonstrates even a tinge of bitterness or resentment. As sensitive women, they wonder how they are doing at “handling it.”

I know what I have taught about this over the course of my lifetime, but I thought no one could better understand their questions than you.  For all these centuries you continue to be the standard of patiently enduring suffering.

Job, I am sure you are busy, but any word from you would be greatly welcomed. The concerns of these women undoubtedly reflect questions by others who also read my blog, and your advice would mean so much to all of them and to me. When you have opportunity, please help us understand this issue a bit better.

Thanking you in advance for your time,
Jeff

Jeff Adams, PhD, Senior Pastor, KCBT