What you can carry

Whatever comes your way is only as much as you can carry

The other day, I was editing a story about teenage boys in northeastern Nigeria. These boys, some of them not even 15 yet, have taken on responsibilities far beyond their years. As I read, this struck a deep chord in me because I, too, had to grow up quickly.

One thing life has taught me about growing up fast and bearing responsibilities is this: whatever comes your way is only as much as you can carry.

Let me share a personal story. Late last year, during my project defence week, someone very dear to me slipped into a coma, it lasted for four days. I was destabilised, to say the least. None of us who loved her could be physically present. We clung to updates from caregivers over the phone, and in the midst of it all, I stayed prayed up.

Oh yes, everything ended in praise! But that experience reinforced something for me: no burden is too heavy for you to bear because God has assured us of His care. As 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

While we prayed fervently for her recovery, another concern loomed over me—how would we afford the hospital bills? Healthcare is costly, especially without insurance. But guess what? When the bills finally came, they were cleared without us breaking a sweat! And believe me, it was a significant amount.

As I watched these children casting their nets somewhere in Ibeju, I couldn’t help but notice their unwavering confidence that they would succeed in pulling in the catch. Even if the nets felt heavy, they knew help would come—just as it did for Peter in Scripture when others came to assist him with his miraculous catch (Luke 5:6-7). Sometimes, when the burden feels overwhelming, God raises people to help. One of the things that made it possible for me to clear the hospital bills I mentioned earlier was the unexpected kindness of strangers. A group of people I had never met paid 30% of the bill on my behalf.

Worrying is often an inevitable part of life. If you’re in a situation right now that feels overwhelming, remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Life doesn’t throw anything at you that you cannot handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us of this: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

This brings me back to the story that sparked this reflection. I was chatting with a friend who has lived in Moscow for the past seven years. We were discussing winter in Russia—the biting cold, the snow, and how tough it can be. He studied civil engineering and shared how every house there is designed with winter in mind, from the roof to the floors.

Then we asked ourselves: what would happen if that level of cold hit Nigeria? With our systemic lack of accountability, mismanagement of funds, and inadequate infrastructure, how would we cope? Imagine temperatures plunging to sub-zero levels while millions of internally displaced people sleep in shelters made of rags. The death toll would be unimaginable.

For both of us, this conversation was a humbling reminder that perhaps God, in His wisdom, has only given us what we can handle as a people, considering the kind of leaders we’ve had. He sees the end from the beginning and equips us to carry the burdens we face.

So, if you’re weighed down today, know this: you’re carrying exactly what you can handle, and God is with you every step of the way.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13

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🍿 Things that I have enjoyed recently:

• I’ve been editing a lot of long-form features lately. While it can be exhausting, I’ve genuinely enjoyed learning from stories, like the one I just shared. I’ve also been investigating and writing an analysis on an issue that’s particularly dear to me. These tasks have pretty much filled up my workspace since I last wrote to you.

• I’m re-reading Gbile Akanni’s Tapping Into God’s Resources for Life and Ministry. It’s truly a masterpiece, offering profound insights that complement our reflections today. You should definitely check it out; the book or video!