When I was growing up a 100 amp panel was installed in most homes. It was adequate because most of us did not have air conditioning so the only electric needed was to supply a range, hot water tank, lights and receptacles. Many had a clothes drier but only used it when the weather was not fit to hang the laundry outside on a clothes line. The few circuits that we had were equipped with screw-in fuses.

When more and more electric appliances were being added, the circuit would overload and blow the fuse. We lived out in the country and I can remember many times, when we did not have an extra fuse, we would have to wait for a trip to town to get one. Most of the receptacles and lighting circuits were fused for 15 amps. If they continued to blow we would replace the blown 15 amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse. We thought the 20 amp fuse was the way to solve our immediate problem; never considering that the circuit was not designed to carry 20 amps.

When Glenda and I had our first home, I was determined to have an air conditioner. We bought a window air conditioner. I could hardly wait to put it in and turn it on. Finally on those hot summer nights, we would enjoy the cool environment of our bed room. To my dismay, there were numerous times that the fuse would blow due to the extra demand on the circuit. The circuit was designed for 15 amps and the additional draw on it exceeded its limit. I’ve seen the same thing happen with plug in electric heaters. When the draw is greater than the design, something has to give. To carry the additional load, the circuit had to be reconstructed to carry additional amperage. Putting in larger fuses was just a momentary fix because the wire size remained the same.

As human beings, we have different tolerances and abilities. Some of us can stand up under a heavier load than others, yet we all have our limit. Some things in life we are not constructed to handle. But just as a bigger wire can carry more amps, there is a way to increase our capacity. The things that overload us are the cares of life.

1 Peter 5:6-7; “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

I have learned many times that the only way to carry life’s heaviest burdens is to allow our Heavenly Father to help me carry them.

These are the truths we examine at the Gathering Place every Wednesday evening at 7 and Sunday morning at 9:30 and 10:30. We have youth group and recovery classes at 6 on Sunday evenings. Come and be with us.