“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
We just love this verse, don’t we?
In fact, if you ask most Christians to list their favorite verses, this one would top the list for many. It unleashes the conqueror in us. No feat is too big when we speak this verse!
However, sometimes I get so excited about it that I take the words out of context. Allow me to share a few real examples:
You need me to watch your four kids for the weekend while you and your husband attend a marriage retreat? No problem!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I should coach my son’s soccer team because no one else will volunteer? Sure!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
You mean the children’s Sunday school teacher didn’t show up or call? I’ll teach the class today!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
No one stayed to clean up after the fellowship dinner? Allow me!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The result? Burn out. Exhaustion. Illness. Bitterness.
Because 'I can do all things' doesn’t mean I should do everything all at once.
We often feel like we should be able to take on more and do more, because of the strength we have through Christ. Yes, God gives us supernatural strength through Jesus. But the purpose of this strength isn’t so we can overload our schedules trying to please others. The context of this verse gives us insight into its importance.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Phil 4:11-12
In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul explains his experience as a Christ follower. At times he had plenty, but at other times he suffered. Either way, he drew on the strength of Christ to see him through. So by the context of this powerful chapter, we see that all things simply means anything God asks us to do.
Paul was willing to enter any situation that would bring people closer to Christ. And with Jesus’ strength, Paul could endure. So, we can think of the verse this way:
“I can do anything God asks me to do through Christ who strengthens me.” (Tweet this.)
If you have occasionally recited this verse out of desperation when an overloaded schedule robbed you of your energy, find comfort in Paul’s lesson today. God doesn’t expect you to do everything all at once. He only asks that you obediently follow Him.
Now that’s reason to proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Kristine
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