I read on someone’s instagram post (I think it was instagram) that “I am a firm believer that we ARE given more than we can handle in life, BUT we are never alone in the walk.” I thought it was so good I wrote it down on a notecard that’s sitting on my desk.

For a long time I’ve thought to myself- we are only given what we personally can handle.

This was both empowering and a bit overwhelming. I would find myself in different situations and think, “seriously?? Who thought I could handle this?”

I defined “handling” it as me personally handling the situation. And that my friends is a tricky and dare I say incorrect thought.

I’m a a firm believe that God wants to help us in our trials, but only recently have I slowly come around to the idea that the way he helps us, yes all of us, is through other people.

I know, what a novel concept. I’m pretty sure you all thought of that a long time ago, but as I’ve said I’m stubborn. I like think of myself as a rock… or was it an island?

So here’s my new thought process, sometimes we are given more than we can handle… alone.

Yes, this happens to the most capable and self sufficient among us.

Maybe your trial is something visibly difficult like a lost job, an illness, or a death in the family, or maybe you’re going through something less obvious, like navigating a new place, a lack of sleep, or convincing your 3 year old to wear socks (it’s a thing people). There are days when these trials seem overwhelming, when we find ourselves buried under a mountain of frustration, self pity, and doubt.

I’ve been telling myself- “Suck it up Buttercup, if you couldn’t handle it, you wouldn’t have it.” But maybe the self talk needs to be a little kinder.

Instead… stay with me here… instead maybe we need to open up our scope of vision and look beyond, look beyond to all the people helping lift us through the trials, look beyond to the myriad of cheerleaders who are encouraging us even when we’re pretty sure this is going to be the death of us (I’m telling you the socks are going to do me in).

The idea that things are going to come that we cannot handle alone is… well it’s terrifying, like shaking in my boots terrifying (and funny enough I’m wear boots today), but it’s also a little bit hopeful.

Maybe we cannot do it alone, but we are given the people who can help us do it. We are given the friend with the witty sense of humor that makes the bad situation funny, we’re given the acquaintance who just happened to cook “extra” for her family that night and is dropping it by. We’re given the sibling that sends a text because they thought you might like this video, the neighbor that rakes your leaves because you cannot get to one last thing, the ministering sister that sends a message to remind  you she’s praying for you, and the long lost high school friend that wanted to say hi and see how you’re doing. The child that ate what you served them, the friend that just wants to sit and chat about nothing in particular while the kids run free at the park, the bus driver that showed up on time, the teacher that gave you an extension on an assignment, the friend that let’s you cry on their shoulder because they have the strength to carry your burden, and the spouse that brought home chocolate because sometimes you need chocolate.

Maybe instead of asking how we are going to handle whatever the situation is, we can ask  to see how others are walking with us through the trial. I’d guess that as soon as you start looking for those earthly angels you’re going to be just as AMAZED as I was at  how many people are walking beside us.

So my dear readers, let’s lace up our running shoes and walk together, because it turns out that walking together is a heck of a lot more enjoyable than walking alone.