Melissa Jill Photography

Melissa Jill - Great comment Emily -- thanks for sharing what God is doing in your life. That verse from I Corinthians is where this idea that God won't give us more than we can handle comes from. But I think when you read the verse in context, it's clear that Paul is saying that everyone is tempted to sin -- all people have this in common. But God will always provide us a way out -- a way of saying "no" to the opportunities to sin that present themselves. I don't think he's talking about trials in general here, but rather, about the temptation to sin. It's not a promise that God won't give us more trials and difficulties than we can handle in this world (and really, trials are a result of the fact that we live in a sinful world -- not a creation of God's), but that God will give us the opportunity to resist sin. In the last half of your comment, it does sound like we're on the same page -- trials push us toward God because we realize our need for him.

Brooke - I agree completely! We aren't meant to handle life alone. :) There's a quote I love from Mother Theresa "I know God won't give me more than I can handle, I just wish He didn't trust me so much." LoL! We were created to walk with God forever. With the fall things changed, but He still wants that closeness. We need Him!

angela hubbard - great post M! x

Emily - Your Heart's Desire - I too have been working on the discipline of “trusting in God and leaning not on my own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) and it is so incredibly hard. I believe that the reference that “God never gives us more than we can handle” actually is scripturally based. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” This is such a life verse to me right now that it came right to mind when I read this post. I have always been such an independent person and had been operating my life with the KNOWLEDGE of God and not the LEADING of God. In following my own self-sufficiency, I essentially blazed a path of my own self-centeredness. Everything I pursued, every thought and expectation I had, was based around my will and not His will for me. My life and choices were saying to Him: “I don’t need you.” Until I believe God had enough of that blatant disregard and I experienced my own personal “falling out” of sorts. Now as I sift though the pieces and consequences of my choices/actions, I have found that if we choose not to need him, He will ordain circumstances in our lives that require us to need him, in order to draw us to Himself which, is ultimately what he wants from us: Relationship. And the beautiful thing is that this reproof is a blessing, for He “disciplines those he loves.” (Proverbs 3:12) I have also found peace, contentment and JOY in my trials and weakness and in giving up my own self-sufficiency. Because it is when we finally come to the end of ourselves (submission), that we find Jesus and His open arms. I understand now more than ever what Paul meant when he said that he will not only boast in his weakness but be GLAD about it! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

liz - I recently received that same devotional book as a gift. it's so very beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing what God has placed upon your heart. As a temporary single mommy while my husband is deployed for a year, i whole heartedly agree!! When we find we are weak and need God... that is the best place to be because we have no where else to go but to Him. PTL!!

Daylelynn Davis - ... Melissa ... very well said.

Giovanna - @John....I totally agree with Andrea and everyone is entitled to their opinion, however; you can love Melissa's work and not slam her heartfelt beliefs in the process. Take a moment and think what your comments brought other than negativity....nothing. This is a blog that represents the work of a young woman. She doesn't separate her life into work/home/religion. She lives it all as one. If I wasn't in favor of her beliefs I could still look at her beautiful work and not comment....just a thought. @ Melissa...as we buried my mother-in-law yesterday I am reminded of the Footprints story that illustrates exactly what you're talking about. Well said.

rachel schindler - Right on Greg Lucas. I too was blessed with a special child 16 years ago, and would cringe when people would say this to me. I thought to myself, "you have no idea how I really can't handle this". But would just smile at them as they said the words that I hated to hear. It is because of God's strength that I was able to deal with the challenges that faced my family. I could not have done it with out him. Don't get me wrong, our daughter has been a blessing, a JOY to have, but I relied on God for strength, because I couldn't do it without him. Thanks for sharing this. It made my day...

Allyson Garrison - Melissa, thank you! It's posts like this that keep me coming back to your blog again and again! I love your photography too (of course!), but it's your genuine relationship with Christ that really makes you shine above the rest. I hope that I make it to one of your workshops one day because I know I would learn so much from you! I value your photography advice even more because I know that your heart is where God wants it to be. Plus, I just know we would click! :) Thanks for being real for your readers and for staying true to what God has called his chldren to be.

heather - So freeing. I love the first quote and he is so right! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Laura - Hi Melissa, Thank you for your honesty.As you said we often get caught in the mindsight of "God never gives us more than we can handle". Well, last year I lost my fiance and my father (two men that mean the world to me) within 9 months of each other. Can I handle this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I am a believer, a Christian, a child of God. I have moved forward every day because I know that I need Him. I had a wonderful conversation with a Pastor just hours before my father was passing away from cancer. I was feeling torn. My heart and faith knows that my Dad would be safe in God's care but the other part of me was angry. Yet, I was trying so hard to NOT BE angry at God because if I was this girl that worships and loves God, then how dare I get angry. The Pastor says to me, God wants you to need him. He knows your heart is breaking and he wants you to pour your heart into him. God CAN handle what YOU GIVE Him. She said that I need to be honest with God, and if anger is what I am feeling I should not hide it for the sake of seeming like the "Christian woman that is just so strong and will get through it". God wants my honesty and I need to give it to him in order to grow in my relationship with Him. I alone can not handle these major and devasting losses. I think I would be a broken woman if I did not admit my powerlessness over my grief and ask God to help me every day. I hurt from the painful effects death brings us in this life, but I am happy because I know I am loved. Anyways, I hope that even made sense..I kind of just ran with my thoughts!

Jacque dee Duran - Wow, I needed this! I am sitting here at a coffee shop evaluating my struggles and trying to get an action plan. I am struggling with starting my business and with my faith. I had a passionate and strong relationship spiritually that has now dwindled and I'm feeling stale. I'm also in the process of getting a business started. This post was for me! To remind me I NEED God, I need to cling to Him, His strength truly is made perfect in weakness. That I can't do this on my own and I believe He has brought me to have this passion for my business to rely on Him. Thank you Melissa for sharing and being bold. Our God is real and mighty!

John - @Andrea Brewster Thanks for respecting my opinion, and fair enough, I did not mean to disrespect Melissa's personal take on things. Love her work, just cringe whenever I read her heavy handed religious talk.

Mary - After reading just your first paragraph about the sentiment that God never gives us more than we can handle, I'd already considered saying that I think He absolutely does...He never gives us more that He can handle if we are dependent upon him. But then you went it said it...perfectly and eloquently--it is about having that dependence upon HIm that learns to know and trust not only His provision and His protection but also His person, His heart. I write that as someone who's questioned them all at some point in my walk. Well written Melissa!

Dennis Bullock - Thanks so much for sharing this Melissa!

Erin Duggin - Great post Melissa. Thank you for being so bold.

Janet Gerbutavich - Thank you Melissa, for always being so upfront about your Christianity. In this day and age where so many people are afraid to mention their faith because it might insult someone; it is refreshing to see your honesty and faith. God is good and being in a relationship with him, hearing his voice through our circumstances, the voices of others and His word, is a wonderful thing. Keep up your good work, I so enjoy both your photography and your personality. maybe one day, even though i am too old (54) I will be able to attend one of your MJ 2 workshops and get to meet you personally. God Bless

Carolyn Steere - A hard lesson to learn...but one that leads to peace that surpasses understanding. Thank you for sharing this important insight.

kristin brown - melissa, i love this. it is so true. and when we realize this and let ourselves be dependent on him, we realize he does so much more for our lives than we ever could have on our own.

Elizabeth Langford - Beautiful post Melissa. Reminds me of the Footprints in the Sand poem. When we need Him to, He carries us.

Jessica - Wow! I actually said those exact words yesterday and you really put it into perspective for me. I never thought about it in this way and truly makes more sense. Thank you so much for sharing!

Sara Lin - Love you- you describe many of us my friend.

michelle - I've made a similar discovery over the past year. Beautiful post. I also read Jesus Calling and find it to be very compelling.

Alvina - Wow...that's powerful!! I agree completely....God WANTS us to NEED him!! :) Can't image living life without Him, it sure would be an empty life! Thanks for sharing this Melissa!! ♥

cassandra - thanks for the post.... interestingly we are most wounded in relationship and then healed profoundly in relationship....something only God, even in 2012, could orchestrate. Great post Melissa...

Andrea Brewster - @John: I hope other commenters will not turn this into a debate and respect your thoughts and opinions. However, I'm disappointed that you did not return that same respect for Melissa.

Lori Calhoun - Love this. And, I couldn't agree more. I was having a hard time putting these exact thoughts into words.

David Morrison - Thank you for sharing this. Great perspective from God. My wife and I were just discussing how terrible we are at accepting help from others, as if it were so awful to be lacking in personal strength.

Amanda Driver - I love this: "My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match." Proverbs 3:5 also comes to mind. I live this struggle daily--trying to be self-sufficient instead of leaning on God. Love this post. :)

Sarah Neal - Wow - I was SO blessed by this. Thank you. I've recently been through a trial with my child and SO many people said this to me and I would always think "but I feel so weak!". It's like the phrase "God helps those who help themselves". It's exactly the opposite of the scripture Jer 17:5 "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." Without God we are nothing and truly his perfect strength is found in our weakness!