The Truth Behind “When You Can’t, God Can”
I’ve been there—feeling like I’ve tried everything. Prayed, cried, fought through the pain, and still nothing seemed to change. That’s when the reminder hits me: “When you can’t, God can.” It’s not just a feel-good phrase—it’s truth from Scripture. When we’re at the end of our strength, God is just getting started.
This message echoes throughout the Bible. In our weakest moments, His strength becomes most clear. Sometimes, God allows our plans to fall apart so we’ll finally lean fully on His. That humbling place where we realize we don’t have what it takes? That’s often where real faith begins.
I shared more about that in Why Do Christians Struggle With Sin Even After Being Saved?—how we can feel stuck even when we know the truth. But the beauty of God’s grace is that He steps in exactly when we can’t go further.
Bible Verses That Remind Us God Can When We Can’t
When life’s heavy, I turn to verses that remind me who’s really in control. These Scriptures help me shift from self-reliance to total trust in God:
1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV):
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
This is one of my go-to reminders that it’s okay to be weak—because God’s power shows up most when I’m not trying to do it all myself.
2. Isaiah 40:29:
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”
What a promise. When we feel like we’re running on empty, He fills us back up.
3. Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
We’ve heard it a thousand times, but when you’re truly struggling, this verse lands differently. It’s not about superhuman strength—it’s about Jesus carrying us through what we can’t do alone.
Want more encouragement from Scripture? Check out 15 Bible Verses About Staying Strong Through Hard Times—you’ll find verses that anchor your soul when life’s chaotic.
God Doesn’t Expect You to Fix Everything—He Invites You to Trust
One of the biggest lies I believed for years was that I needed to “have it all together” before going to God. That’s just not true. The Bible is full of broken, overwhelmed, weak people—and every single time, God showed up when they couldn’t handle it alone.
Think about Moses. He didn’t feel qualified to speak for God. Or Gideon—he literally asked for multiple signs because he was afraid. Or Paul, who openly admitted he wrestled with weakness. Yet each of them discovered the power of God in their “I can’t” moments.
That’s what I wrote about in The Power of 3 Nails: What Jesus Did For Us. Jesus didn’t come for the ones who had it all together—He came for the sinners, the doubters, the exhausted. That’s where the good news lives.
Faith Isn’t About Control—It’s About Surrender
This one’s hard for me, and maybe it’s hard for you too. We like plans. Control. Structure. But faith isn’t about trying to control the outcome—it’s about surrendering the process.
When I truly surrender my need to fix it all, that’s when I feel the most peace. It’s like Psalm 46:10 says:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Being still isn’t easy. But in the stillness, we remember—He’s God and we’re not. And that’s a good thing.
I touched on this idea in How to Pray According to the Bible. Prayer isn’t just about asking God to change things—it’s about changing us through trust, surrender, and time spent with Him.
When You Can’t Take Another Step, God Carries You
Ever been so emotionally drained you didn’t even know what to pray? I’ve been there. More than once. But the beautiful truth is that God doesn’t need perfect words from us—He just wants our heart.
Romans 8:26 says,
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”
That means when we can’t form the words, God already understands what’s buried deep in us.
If you’re going through something heavy, check out 7 Bible Verses for When You Feel Far From God. I shared some verses there that have personally pulled me through sleepless nights and anxious days.
Let Go of Guilt—God’s Grace Still Covers You
One of the biggest traps I’ve fallen into is guilt. Guilt for not being strong enough. Guilt for doubting. Guilt for feeling like I’m not a “good enough” Christian.
But here’s what I’ve learned: God’s grace doesn’t stop where your struggle begins. He already knew we’d stumble. That’s why Jesus went to the cross.
If you’re feeling weighed down by sin or failure, I encourage you to read Why Do Christians Struggle With Sin Even After Being Saved?. You’re not alone. And you’re not disqualified.
When You’re Weak, That’s Where God’s Power Shines
I used to think I had to be strong all the time—that somehow faith meant powering through everything with a smile. But Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 changed how I see weakness:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
God doesn’t ask us to be strong on our own. In fact, He invites us to lean into Him when we’re at our lowest. That’s when His power shows up the loudest.
If this resonates with you, you might really appreciate 15 Bible Verses About Staying Strong Through Hard Times. I put together those verses during a season where I felt like I was barely hanging on.
Jesus Paid the Price So You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
That heavy burden you’re carrying? You weren’t meant to carry it by yourself. Jesus came to carry it for you.
Remember this: He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.
If you haven’t yet, take a moment to read What It Means That Jesus Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe. It’ll remind you that even when life feels too big, Jesus has already won the battle.
Let Go of Control—Let God Take Over
This part is tough. I like feeling in control. Maybe you do too. But there are just some situations where no amount of planning, pushing, or praying the “right way” can change the outcome—because it was never ours to fix in the first place.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
When you finally let go, that’s when you’ll experience peace. That’s when you’ll see Him show up.
For more help letting go, I really encourage checking out How to Pray According to the Bible and Actually Feel Closer to God. It helped me reframe how I bring things to God.
God’s Grace Fills the Gaps Where We Fall Short
Sometimes I mess up. Sometimes I doubt. Sometimes I just don’t feel like I’m enough.
But God’s grace is more than enough.
Romans 5:8 says:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That verse never fails to shake me. He loved me at my worst. He saved me anyway.
If you’ve ever struggled with sin even after becoming a Christian, you’re not alone. I wrote about it here: Why Do Christians Struggle With Sin Even After Being Saved?. It’s something we all wrestle with—but God is patient and faithful to finish what He started in us.
Common Questions About Trusting God When You Can’t
What should I do when I feel like giving up completely?
You pray—even if it’s messy. You cry out to God—even if it’s just a whisper.
When I felt like I had nothing left, I remember saying, “God, I don’t have the strength to do this, but I believe You do.” That small prayer was enough to open the door for His help.
Also, dive into encouragement like 15 Bible Verses About Staying Strong Through Hard Times. Those verses are a lifeline.
How do I know if God is really working behind the scenes?
Great question—because let’s be honest, sometimes He feels silent.
But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us His ways and timing are higher than ours. He might be protecting you, preparing you, or positioning someone else before your answer comes. You may not see the full picture now, but that doesn’t mean He’s not moving.
Check out What the Bible Really Says About How to Be Saved—it reminds us that salvation isn’t about feeling something; it’s about trusting God’s promises even when it’s hard.
Can I still pray even when I doubt God will answer?
Absolutely. Pray especially when you’re doubting. That’s when your faith muscles grow.
Even the father in Mark 9 said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” And Jesus still showed up.
If you want to dig deeper, I’d recommend reading Christian Teachings on Forgiveness That’ll Change Your Heart. Letting go of doubt and past pain often go hand-in-hand.
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