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Nobody likes to lose. Winning is fun but losing is hard. In the midst
of a challenging feat we might wonder if it’s appropriate to
claim Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” After John 3:16, Philippians 4:13 is one of the
most-searched verses in the Bible, and is often linked with athletes
seeking to inspire victory and strength. But this common application
unfortunately misses its real power.
But what about the here and now? All of us are in a situation that’s
difficult, faith-testing, and overwhelming (if we’re not now we soon
will be). It might be health issues, difficulties at work, trouble with a
rebellious child, relationship issues in your family, financial stress,
or a multitude of other things. It’s in those situations that this verse
is meant to speak to us.
2. It’s humbling.
It’s humbling because it reminds us that we are not in control. God
is. Paul was simply preaching the gospel as God called him to do
and he finds himself in prison. It is humbling to recognize that
things will happen to us beyond our control.
3. It’s possible.
The contentment that allows us to praise God amid the pain,
confusion, and humiliations is something we can learn. In verses
11–12, Paul writes, “I have learned of the secret” of being content.
Paul’s learning was not instantaneous. It did not happen overnight or
at his conversion. The book of Acts reveals his learning through trial
after trial. Contentment, and the joy that comes with it, is not
something you are born with, or granted automatically. It’s
something that must be learned, most often through difficulties.
Your trials are not wasted.
4. It’s Christ-exalting.
Christ is the One who strengthens us in the face of both difficulties
and blessings, and Christ is the One who receives the glory. One of
my favorite verses is 1 Peter 4:11: “Whoever speaks, as one who
speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the
strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ” (emphasis mine). God is more
glorified when we are content in trials than when we are content
with blessings.
Philippians 4:13 isn’t just for Christian superheroes. It’s for every
child of God in every situation in life, especially the tough ones. No
trial or tragedy is too hard to face, not if you have Jesus. “I can do
all things through Christ who strengthens me.”