I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I recently heard a funny story about this verse.
After practicing this verse, a six-year-old girl walked over to the wall and pushed it, trying to move it, and exclaimed, “It doesn’t work.” She thought she could do whatever she attempted to do with Jesus’ help. She was mistaken, and sometimes we may think of this verse and make the same mistake. However, I think most of us see this verse for what it is, not as a promise to do everything we attempt to do, but a promise that we can get through any circumstance through the help of Christ.
When we look at the context of this verse, we see that Paul is thanking the Philippians for their concern for him, for the gift they sent to help provide for him. It seems that he had gone some time without hearing from them, and had not had been given as many provisions as he might have liked to have. But he tells them, that through his circumstances, he has learned to be content no matter what he is facing. He learned to be content in abundance and in poverty because His contentment was found in Christ, not in material things or circumstances.
Whatever circumstance. In life, we face many difficult circumstances. Most of the time we don’t see them coming at all. Financial difficulties, the death of a loved one, a miscarriage, infertility, depression, a severed relationship. These are the kinds of circumstances that help us learn to rely on Christ for our strength. Even when things are going well, we can find ourselves discontent with what we have, and wanting more. Ultimately, true contentment is found in Him alone, whether we are in a season of difficulty or prosperity.
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, whether they are good or difficult, be content in Christ. Look to Him to be your strength.