Have you ever heard the conundrum: “Is it possible for God to create a rock so heavy that he can’t lift it?” Umm. 

A simple yes or no won’t do. God is more complex than that. So complex that he’s bigger than our brains. If we think our brains will ever totally understand God, we don’t understand him at all. 

But our brains aren’t the only problem. There’s also our brawn. We think we’re so strong that we don’t need God’s help.

The Bible says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up” (1 Peter 5:6). 

If God’s hand is so mighty, why does he need me to humble myself? Can’t he lift me up without needing me to get lower?

That’s another conundrum. A simple yes or no won’t do.

If we think our strength is what we need, however, we’re not that strong at all. Being too strong for God actually removes us from the strength of God. He can’t lovingly lift us up if we’re self-reliant, self-made, and self-righteous. But he might lovingly knock us down.

It’s when we are weak, emptied, and not able to handle everything on our own that God’s mighty hand can lift us up. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).