There’s a saying I hear often: “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But the more I walk with Him, the more I realize, that’s just not true. Life absolutely gives us more than we can handle, and I believe that’s by design. If we could truly handle everything on our own, why would we even need God?

I’ll be honest, there have been plenty of times in my life when I’ve said, “I’ve got this.” And every time, God gently reminds me that I don’t. Recently, James and I were laughing about that exact phrase, because we both know the truth: we don’t have anything under control… but God does.

Right now, my “thing” and my “pain” is watching my husband suffer through constant, excruciating pain. It’s been months of him hurting and him moving while whining. The last two weeks it has been him barely able to walk or bend over. As a family of five with a small farm, his pain affects every corner of our lives, our routines, our responsibilities, even our moods.

And yet, even in this, I see God’s hand. If I’m honest, if life were easy and pain-free, I probably wouldn’t lean on Him the same way. I might slip right back into that false sense of “I’ve got this.” But when I reach the end of myself, when I can’t fix it, carry it, or make it better, I find myself running to God. And that’s where He wants me to be.

So today, I choose gratitude. I thank God even for the pain, for the “things” that draw me closer to Him. Because in the waiting and the hurting, He is still good.

Do I hope and pray for James’ healing? Absolutely. And I know God can heal him completely. But while we sit in the wait, I will continue to thank God for using this season to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence, and remind us who truly “has it.”

Thank you, Lord, for the pain, and for the purpose in it.