Philippians 4:13

NASB – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

NLT – For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

VOICE – I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength. 

Understanding the Strength of God

Paul had learned contentment and endurance in all situations. Paul is writing from prison, describing his experience of all the personal hardships he faced (list showed down below). Paul’s strength comes from Christ. Jesus is an active, empowering presence for all believers. We are spiritually united with Him, and it gives us a foundation for life and the empowerment to live a godly life. The strength of Christ sustains all believers in all circumstances they faced, sharing with us God’s sustaining power. This empowerment shows up through our spiritual resilience, emotion magnitude, moral courage, and giving believers the ability to find purpose in their lives. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How have you heard this verse taught to you before? 

The Endurance of Strength

Paul went through a lot during his different ministry journeys. He was flogged (nearly beaten to death) five times, beaten with rods three times, and stoned once. He was shipwrecked three times, and spent 24-hour cycle adrift at sea. He dealt with the adverse dangers of travel during this period of time. He was turned away by his own people, enemies, and even by false teachers that he used to run with. He also carried the burdens of the different churches he helped establish. Most of us would even endure 10% of what Paul did and would be ready to give up or be so cynical that we wouldn’t even attempt continuing forward. Paul found the ability to. 

Paul saw all parts of life. He learned how to live in wealth, and learned how to live in poverty. He understood what it meant to be full, clothed, and warm, and what it meant to be hungry, naked, and cold. What he found in the middle of all his situations is: contentment. He learned how to find thankfulness and gratitude in everything that he endured. It kept him from being cynical and angry. It allowed him to focus on what he could and couldn’t. This keeps him, and us, focused on the road ahead. It’s hard to move forward in times of stress, but the strength of God allows us to move ahead. It allows us to both release ourselves from the chains that have held us back, plus allows us to work through those tough emotions that tend to come with stress and anxious moments. May we start to practice contentment in all situations.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can you find contentment in the middle of all things, both positive and negative?