“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13
I have heard and seen this verse on so many platforms and so many pieces of merchandise. People use it like a sort of battle cry or “Christian” superman mantra. I can almost picture the bolded and capped “I CAN DO ALL THINGS,” then the “through him who stretches me” in an unassuming text style.
I’ve never felt such audacious strength inside or outside… Possibly with the exception of when I cold lifted a 250 pound couch (before realizing that I pulled a muscle in my leg). 😂
In light of the many misguided uses of the above verse, would it surprise you to learn that it’s one of my favorite verses? It’s not because it speaks of strength, but because it reminds me that contentment in circumstances that I never wanted is only possible because of Jesus – I can face every circumstance and season through Christ who strengthens me.
This verse is far more precious and far deeper than a lack of context gives it credit for.
Read the previous verse in chapter 4: “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (vs 12). Paul wasn’t speaking of super human strength to do cool things; he was speaking of being content in all circumstances, even the hard ones.
Realizing this context transforms how I view my singleness and hard seasons I walk through. Contentment isn’t “I’m fine.” Real contentment, contentment that honors the Lord, isn’t about claiming a kind of pseudo victory rooted in humanistic (sometimes masquerading as “Christianish”) delusion. It is about trusting God.
I can do all things.
I can face need.
I can face suffering.
I can face loneliness.
I can face uncertainty.
I can accept what is before me without losing hope.
Why? Not because of any strength that I have, but because it’s actually Jesus who is strong.
It doesn’t mean fatalistically embracing toughness. It’s not ignoring real need. It’s not lying to myself and others by saying, “Everything is fine.”
It’s saying:
Things are hard.
I feel weak.
The future is uncertain.
But I’m not alone.
Jesus is with me, and He’s going to give me the strength to keep going, wherever life leads (and I know it ultimately leads to being with Him forever).
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” -Hebrews 6:19-20
Leave a Reply