This verse has taken on new meaning for me lately.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
I’ve always disliked how this verse was so continually taken out of context that I just glossed over the deeper meaning and encouragement for my own life in these words.
But lately, I’ve found myself praying,
“Help me be content — dare I say even joyful — in my circumstances.”
And that is exactly what Paul was saying he could do through Christ who strengthens him.
The Shift from Anger to Surrender
I’ve been through the whole, “I’m mad that I’m in pain and can’t seem to do anything about it…” season.
But I’ve since moved into a different space — a surrendered one:
“Lord, why do You have me in this place?”
“How can I see You more clearly here?”
“How can I bring You glory even if it’s not how I envisioned?”
And that is a hard, yet holy, shift.
Contentment Is Possible, But Not in Our Strength
It’s only by His strength that we can find contentment, joy, and peace, regardless of our circumstances.
Do I get it right every time? Absolutely not.
But moment by moment, I’m asking the Holy Spirit — whose same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me — to strengthen me to fix my eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of my faith.
Even if you’ve read Philippians 4:13 a thousand times, I encourage you to read it again — this time in its full context. The power of the verse isn’t about superhuman ability or wish fulfillment. It’s about supernatural contentment in any and every situation.
Through Christ — yes, through Him alone — we can walk in joy even when life feels nothing like we expected.
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