Welcome back to the podcast! We’ve all heard them. Little phrases that sound wise, comforting, or even spiritual—but they’re not true. In this series, we’ll uncover some of the most common believable lies people buy into about God, life, and faith.

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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Believable Lie #3: God Won’t Give Me More Than I Can Handle

It sounds comforting to say “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” but it’s not true. In fact, the Bible teaches the opposite. Paul admitted he was “crushed and overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Why? Because God never intended us to handle life on our own. He allows more than we can bear so that we’ll finally lean on Him. The promise isn’t that we’ll never be overwhelmed—the promise is that we’ll never be abandoned.

The Misunderstood Verse

This lie comes from a misreading of 1 Corinthians 10:13. The verse isn’t about suffering—it’s about temptation. God promises He won’t let temptation be more than we can bear, and He always provides a “way out.” But suffering is different. Sometimes we really do face more than we can handle.

The Truth About Temptation

Temptations are real but not irresistible. Israel’s history proves this: some fell, others stood firm—not because temptation was weaker but because God was stronger. Endurance is possible, not by willpower but by God’s faithfulness (Hebrews 2:18, James 1:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:3). God’s “way out” can be changing your environment, fighting back with Scripture, or reaching out to others for help.

The Truth About Suffering

Unlike temptation, suffering may indeed overwhelm us. Paul admitted he faced trials he couldn’t endure on his own (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Yet suffering teaches us to rely on God, not ourselves. It drives us into the arms of Jesus and into the comfort of His people. God comforts us so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

The Big Picture

God may give us more than we can handle, but He will never give us more than He can handle. Trials push us to depend on Christ, to lean on our church family, and to prepare the next generation to do the same. Suffering will come. But Christ is enough.

In this episode, we explore the four main parenting styles—authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved—and look at how each one impacts children, while offering biblical wisdom to help parents raise kids God’s way.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

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Parenting is one of the most important roles in a person’s life, and it significantly shapes the development and well-being of children. Over the years, psychologists and researchers have identified four primary parenting styles, each characterized by different levels of warmth, control, and communication. Understanding these styles can help parents recognize the potential outcomes of their approaches and make more informed decisions about how they raise their children. See this article.

The four main parenting styles are:

1. Authoritarian Parenting
2. Authoritative Parenting
3. Permissive Parenting
4. Uninvolved Parenting

Each of these styles affects children differently, influencing their emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Authoritarian parents are often seen as strict, controlling, and demanding. They set high expectations for their children, emphasizing obedience and discipline above all else. Communication tends to be one-sided, with little room for dialogue or flexibility. Rules are enforced with little explanation, and punishment is used as a means to maintain control.

• Key Characteristics:
• High demands and expectations
• Low responsiveness to the child’s emotional needs
• Emphasis on obedience and discipline
• Limited communication and explanation of rules
• Effects on Children: Children raised by authoritarian parents often develop a strong sense of discipline and respect for authority but may also struggle with self-esteem and decision-making. They may become either overly submissive or rebellious, depending on their temperament. Social skills can be underdeveloped, as they may not feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings openly.
• Biblical Response: Authoritarian parenting emphasizes strict rules and discipline, often with little room for discussion. While discipline is important, Scripture also encourages understanding and wisdom in its application.
• Ephesians 6:4 – "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
• Colossians 3:21 – "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

Authoritative parenting is widely regarded as the...

Welcome back! We’ve all heard them—little phrases that sound wise, comforting, or even spiritual—but they’re not true. In this series, we’re exposing some of the most common believable lies people buy into about God, life, and faith.

--

The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

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They sound right at first, but when you dig deeper, you realize these lies can actually lead you in the wrong direction.

Last time we looked at the lie that “God is a killjoy.” The truth is, God created everything for our joy and good, but within the boundaries of His wisdom. Adam and Eve rejected His definition of good and the result was shame.

That brings us to today’s believable lie: “I’m too far gone for God.”

Maybe you’ve thought this before:

• “If He only knew where I’ve been or what I’ve done, He would never want me.”
• Maybe it’s your past mistakes—crossing boundaries, addictions, broken relationships.
• Or maybe it’s not even what you did, but what someone else did to you that left you feeling unworthy.

The truth is this: No one is too far gone for God.

To prove it, let’s look at two stories—one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Both reveal God’s heart of mercy for people who seemed beyond hope.

Story #1: Nineveh (Jonah 3)

The city of Nineveh was infamous for its cruelty, violence, idolatry, and immorality. If anyone seemed too far gone, it was them. Yet when Jonah preached judgment, the people repented in humility—and God forgave them. Jonah himself confessed the truth about God: “You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.” (Jonah 4:2 NLT).

This echoes God’s character revealed throughout Scripture—Exodus 34:6-7, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 103:8, Joel 2:13, and in the New Testament, 2 Peter 3:9. God does not want anyone destroyed but desires everyone to repent.

Story #2: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-20)

In Jesus’ parable, the younger son insulted his father, wasted his inheritance, and ended up in utter disgrace. He was convinced he was unworthy of love and hoped only to be a servant. Yet when he returned home, the father ran to him, embraced him, and restored him as a son.

The prodigal’s story proves that no matter how far you’ve run, God is watching and waiting for you to come back.

The Point

The Ninevites weren’t too far gone. The prodigal son wasn’t too far gone. And neither are you. Whatever your past, God’s love is greater. He wants you to repent, turn back to Him, and receive His mercy.

Here’s God’s honest truth: No one is too far gone for God.