Forthright Fixation

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Last October this verse found in Philippians 4 (ESV), came to mean something special to me. I was going to my first meeting with a guidance counselor at a local university and I was terrified. I was worried sick, not only about what this meeting would be like, but also what the rest of my life would hold. The Lord led me to this verse and it gave me great comfort and courage knowing that God was with me and strengthening me.

And now, as I begin a new adventure this verse has again brought comfort and courage to me. I am comforted in knowing that I am going where I am going because the Lord has brought me there by His grace and it’s not by anything I’ve done, and I take courage knowing that I can stand against changes and transitions by the Lord’s strength and not my own.

I suppose in a post-modern world this verse might make a Christian feel…humbled? Maybe even a little weak? (I’m not talking about physical weakness or strength here, but instead spiritual strength that affects all spheres of our lives.) After all, it completely detracts from them and entirely points to Christ. But this verse ought to boost the Christian’s confidence; not only their confidence in Christ but their confidence to withstand adversity and trials. Christ has given them the strength!

Dear friends, are you facing an impossible situation? Or do you feel like you’re expected to accomplish a feat that is far too great for you to do alone? Remember what was said in Psalm 18:29:

“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”

And in Matthew 19:26b:

“With man this [salvation] is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (emphasis added)

Take heart, my friends! For that giant looming over you can be defeated, that mountain ahead of you can be scaled, and that weakness can be overcome because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!