Is it True That “God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle”?

Question: “I’m pregnant, but we’re not married, and I’m so ashamed. I’m having a crisis of faith. I always thought it was true that God won’t give you more than you can handle… well, this is definitely something I don’t think I can handle! I’ve been praying over what to do. Where do I turn?!”

Answer:  First, let us lovingly tell you something that might surprise you: the phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle” isn’t quite what the Bible actually says. And understanding what Scripture really teaches can bring so much comfort during this difficult time.

God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle?

What does the Bible really say? Many people believe this phrase comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says:

“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.”

Did you catch the keyword? It’s temptation, not trials, or suffering, or overwhelming life circumstances. Paul isn’t talking about the difficult situations we face. He’s specifically addressing the temptations we face and the choices we make in response.

Understanding Temptation vs. Suffering

There’s an important difference between these two:

Temptation is connected to our choices and decisions—things we have some control over. Being tempted isn’t a sin; it’s what we do with that temptation that matters. God promises we won’t face temptation beyond what we can resist, and He’ll always provide a way to choose what’s right.

Suffering and trials, on the other hand, are often beyond our control. These are the overwhelming circumstances that crash into our lives, like an unplanned pregnancy. We don’t get to choose whether they happen, and there’s often no “way out” except to walk through them with courage and faith.

The Context Makes All the Difference

When Paul wrote these words, he was actually teaching the Corinthians a history lesson. He reminded them how the Israelites witnessed miracle after miracle but still made sinful choices. Paul was warning: “Be careful that you don’t fall!” He was saying, “You’re not alone in facing temptation—others have walked this road. And God is faithful to help you make the right choices.”

Right after this passage, Paul says, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry”—in other words, run from anything you’ve elevated above God. When we keep God first, we find the strength to make good decisions even when we’re tempted.

Here’s the Beautiful Truth

Because God loves you so deeply, He does allow you to face more than you can handle on your own. And that’s not cruelty; it’s grace. Here’s why:

God knows that sometimes, we need to be in situations where we realize we can’t do it all alone. When we think we can handle everything ourselves, pride can drag us down and keep us from the help and healing we need. But when we face something bigger than ourselves, we learn to depend on God more fully. We learn to lean on His strength, His wisdom, and His love.

Think about it: God gave Moses the task of leading 600,000 difficult, complaining travelers through the wilderness. He gave the apostles the seemingly impossible job of spreading the gospel to the entire world. He gives us challenges that are beyond our individual strength, but never beyond His strength working through us.

You’re Not Alone in This

Right now, you’re facing something that feels overwhelming. An unplanned pregnancy, especially when you’re not married, can feel like more than you can bear. The shame, the fear, the uncertainty—these are heavy burdens. And that’s exactly when God invites you to lean on Him, to reach out to others, and to discover that you don’t have to carry this alone.

God has given you the power of choice in this situation. No matter what you decide for your pregnancy, God has given you this opportunity because He knows you’re capable of making the tough decision that’s right for you and your baby. He’s walking beside you through this.

A Path Forward

If you and your baby’s father don’t think you’re ready to become parents right now, you can still give your baby the precious gift of life by choosing adoption. With modern open adoption, you have so much say in how things unfold:

• You can personally select the adoptive parents for your baby
• You decide how things go at the hospital and who’s present
• You can receive updates on your baby as he or she grows up, if that’s what you’d like
• You remain an important part of your child’s story

Lifetime Christian Adoption has a large selection of stable, pre-screened Christian couples who are ready and eager to welcome a baby into their hearts and homes. These are couples who have been preparing, praying, and hoping for the chance to become parents.

Remember This

Life often brings us more than we can handle on our own. It’s actually part of God’s design. He uses these moments to remind us of our need for Him, to teach us to depend on His strength, and to show us the beauty of Christian community supporting one another through difficult times.

You may feel overwhelmed, but you are not abandoned. You may feel weak, but God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness. And you may feel alone, but there’s an entire community ready to support you, pray for you, and walk alongside you through this journey.

Would you like more info on modern open adoption? Just call or text Lifetime Christian Adoption at 1-800-923-6784 or message us.

We’re here for you, and so is God; every step of the way.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 24, 2017, and has since been updated.