Why does God let us go through hard times?

I once heard a pastor say something that completely shifted the way I look at pain and pressure. He said,

“You think God won’t put more on you than you can bear, but He will. He’ll put on you more than you can bear so He can show you that He’ll bear it for you.”

That truth stopped me in my tracks. Because if you’ve ever asked, “Why does God let us go through hard times?”, the answer might be simpler and more beautiful than you think. It’s not that God wants to break you… it’s that He wants to carry you.

When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle

Life has a way of piling up — the bills, the grief, the uncertainty, the anxiety. Sometimes it feels like you’re drowning in responsibilities, heartbreak, or fear. You pray, you try harder, and you wonder why it all still feels so heavy.

But here’s the truth: it was never yours to carry alone.

We often lose faith and try to carry the burden ourselves, then wonder why we’re stressed, depressed, and overwhelmed. We tell ourselves, “God won’t give me more than I can handle,” as if our strength is enough — but that’s not what the Bible teaches.

God allows more than we can bear so that we’ll stop relying on ourselves and start relying on Him.

The Apostle Paul knew this well. In 2 Corinthians 1:8–9 (KJV), he wrote:

“We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life… but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.”

Paul faced more than he could handle — and that’s exactly where he discovered the strength of God.

Why God Lets Us Go Through Hard Times

So, why does God let us go through hard times? Because hardship teaches dependence. It strips away our illusion of control and draws us into deeper relationship with Him.

When life is light and easy, we often forget how much we need God. But when everything falls apart, we find ourselves at His feet — broken, surrendered, and ready to receive His peace.

God doesn’t take pleasure in our pain, but He does take pleasure in our growth. He uses the weight of hardship not to crush us, but to build our faith muscles.

Psalm 55:22 reminds us:

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

You were never meant to carry the full weight of life — that’s why He invites you to cast your burdens.

Let God Carry What You Can’t

Maybe you’re walking through something right now that feels impossible — a diagnosis, a heartbreak, a season of deep uncertainty. You’re doing your best, but it’s exhausting.

Here’s the gentle truth: you don’t have to hold it all together. God never asked you to.

When the load feels too heavy, it’s not a sign that you’ve failed — it’s a sign that it’s time to let God carry it.

Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV) gives this powerful invitation from Jesus Himself:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God doesn’t want you to just survive the storm — He wants to carry you through it.

Strength Is Found in Surrender

The world teaches us to “stay strong,” but God teaches us to surrender. Real strength isn’t found in holding on — it’s found in handing over.

When you finally let go and say, “Lord, I can’t handle this,” that’s when He says, “Good — now watch what I can do.”

That’s the beauty of faith. It’s not about proving how strong you are; it’s about discovering how strong He is.

Isaiah 46:4 says,

“Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

When life gets too heavy, God carries what breaks you — because He loves you too much to let you carry it alone.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re asking, “Why does God let us go through hard times?”, remember this: every trial is an invitation to trust Him more deeply.

He doesn’t promise a life free of burden, but He does promise His presence through every battle. And when you feel like you can’t go on, He whispers, “You don’t have to. I’ll carry you.”

So breathe. Surrender. Let go.
Because when God gives you more than you can bear, it’s only because He wants to show you that He will bear it for you.