Him Who Strengthens Me
For those of you who don’t know, I am back home in New York. It was an easy trip filled with driving and great conversation. I am forever thankful for my mom being so willing to drive all the way down to Virginia just to go back to New York the same day.
So far, this break has had it’s challenges but I am definitely thankful for being home. However, my limited human mind continues to stress over things that are clearly in God’s control.
There have been several instances this week when I really don’t feel like I’m home. Or at least this home has changed. But maybe the reality is that I have changed. Throughout last semester, God has surely changed me in ways I never would have imagined. My time in Virginia this time go ‘round has definitely seemed to fly by. It feels like it was just a month ago when I had moved in for a fresh start to a new semester. But God packed as much growth in there as He could for which I am eternally grateful.
I kind of have a random question for both you and myself; “How do I view difficult circumstances?” Personally, I am confident enough to say, “I face them with utter confidence in Jesus and His power to work in me!” In some areas that is the case. But in other, more close to home areas, can I always say that’s the answer I go to? Certainly stinking not!
While God is the only being one should put his faith and dependence on, we all lose track sometimes. It’s really a matter of if you get back on that track and figure out how to. There will be instances when a believer is on fire for God, facing challenges and crushing them with the power of the Lord. But there will also be instances when a believer is tired and being spiritually disciplined or beaten up in a sense. In both times of the spiritual walk should the believer rely on God. At all times, the believer should have the attitude of, “I face challenges with utter confidence in Jesus and His power to work in me!”
I know I’m kind of going in a loop here, but is that even the right mindset? I mean, in reality, I’m just here most of the time. If you’re a believer and you’ve been maturing and doing cool things for Jesus, does it ever really feel like you did those things? Or does it feel like God did those things through you? For me, especially in my walk, I’ve only been the vessel for which God has called me to be and He controls everything. He is the one who makes up those weird coincidences. He is the one behind the scenes working as He pleases. So the mindset should really be, “God faces the challenges while I witness His work; I am simply a tool being used for His glory.”
Today, I went on a run with my friend Aaron. He’s a pretty cool guy. When we took a little break (totally because of me), he talked about Philippians 4:13; “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (ESV). From an outside point of view, it looks like I should be able to complete miraculous physical feats. This type of *wrong* interpretation is not really applicable to the Christian walk.
So, Aaron enlightened me. The context of the author, Paul, is that he is under a type of house arrest. In those days, Paul faced a lot of persecutions and his faith was tested on countless occasions. With this in mind, the actual meaning of Philippians 4:13 is a matter of contentment or perseverance. So God strengthens His followers to do all things. He gives them peace. He offers them perseverance to keep pushing through.
This conversation served as a great encouragement to my walk with Christ and I hope this enlightens you or reminds you of Philippians 4:13.
Thank you for reading and I pray that you all have a good Thanksgiving!
