– I (Jesus) have yet many things to say to you – but you cannot bear them now. – John 16:12
– I have long considered it one of God‘s greatest mercies that the future is hidden from us. If it were not – life would surely be unbearable. – Eugene Forsey
Have you ever demanded someone tell you the truth – no matter what; even from a close loved one? Then they did – and it caught you off guard? It wasn’t anything close to what you expected – and it hurt a bit; or a lot? Deep, hidden feelings came gushing forth like a geyser – and you discovered the person you thought you may have known so well, wasn’t that person anymore?
Their truth may have been unbearable – and your heart felt like it had been broken; because you had been believing their lies. This is a wonderful time to turn to the God of truth – for He is near to those with broken hearts (Psalm 34:18). However, His real truth, which is always without lie (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, 1 John 2:27), can still bother us – even to the point of being unbearable at times.
It can make us squirm a little bit in our seats with a sense of discomfort. It can prick our hearts (Acts 2:37). It can challenge lies we’ve been living – but living them so long and well, we’ve convinced ourselves they are truths – because they don’t inconvenience us, or interrupt our worldly plans. As John Steinbeck wrote in “East of Eden, “A lie is a device for profit or escape.”
It doesn’t make it a truth just because we like it. Twisting God’s truth into something away from His original meaning and intent – for our worldly profit or escape – is perversion (Jeremiah 23:36, Galatians 1:7). Unbearable means unable to be tolerated. Perversion sounds like such an ugly word – but it’s used far more in reference to sexual deviance – than spiritual. We shouldn’t tolerate either one.
Spending our brief time here demanding answers from God as to why things happen or don’t happen, is unwise – especially if it’s a condition we place on Him before fully committing our lives to Christ. If so, won’t the Cross be too heavy to bear (Luke 14:27)? Although God requires all that happens in our past (Ecclesiastes 3:15) – it is not for us to know the times or seasons He has put in His power (Acts 1:7).
Some of our days will seem like we won’t be able to endure – another definition of unbearable. We don’t know if we can tolerate another trial or tough time. Yes, to every thing there is a season – and a time to every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). However, they are always for His reasons – and His pleasure alone; not ours (Isaiah 46:10, Revelation 4:11).
Even though Christ did not open the full truth and understanding of Scripture to the disciples until just before ascending into heaven after the resurrection – it didn’t keep them from following Jesus while he lived (Luke 24:45). Steinbeck also wrote in East of Eden, “There is more beauty in truth – even if it is a dreadful beauty.” The dreadful beauty of God’s truth was Christ had to die for us.
Just because the disciples didn’t understand at first why Jesus had to be glorified – didn’t make God’s truth a lie (John 12:16). Imagine how unbearable it must have been for Him to watch Christ bear our sins – how painfully His truth was wounded and bruised for all of our transgressions against Him (Isaiah 53:5). However, He did it all because of His tremendous love for us (John 3:16).
Our Father’s ways and thoughts are not ours. Just as heaven is higher than earth – so are His thoughts and ways higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The depth of His riches, wisdom, and knowledge, are way past our ever finding out here on earth. Who among us knows His mind – or has been His counselor (Romans 11:33-34)? Could we really bear the entire truth of our lives if He told us now?
We live in a world of unbearable lies at times – and Satan is their father. The devil cannot abide in any truth – for there is no truth in him to be found (John 8:44). We are extremely wise when we realize we are not going to know the total truth about our lives until we meet Him. For it will be the first time we will truly be able to bear His light (1 Timothy 6:16) – and finally know for sure we’re not being lied to anymore.
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