But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:10-13

One of the most overused and misused passages in the Bible is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” Many people will use this passage as a motivational anthem for sports, careers ,ect But are we really grasping what Paul is trying to say here? Christ is not your motivational coach , Jesus Christ should be your Lord, the center of your whole existence. Christ is not just a part of your life, Christ should be your whole life

As the Apostle Paul says here “for I learned, in whatsoever state, to be content” Doesn’t matter if your poor, doesn’t matter if your in bad health, doesn’t matter if your suffering, through Christ we can be content, how? Because Jesus Christ is our strength. 

You might be going through something right now, and wonder “How am I going to get through this”? You can because Christ is your strength. How can you endure this loss, Christ is your strength. How can you endure this illness, Christ is your strength. How can you survive in this economy , Jesus Christ is your strength

Everything you do, you should rely on Christ to give you strength. Our human nature is to not want to rely on anyone but ourselves. We want to be independent, make our own rules. True peace of God comes from obedience in Christ. When you stay in the will of God, then God will give you strength

Jesus said “Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:4) Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches, our strength comes from our connection with Christ. When the branch is broken off, it withers and dies. Abide in Jesus and He will abide in you

Paul said didn’t matter if he was going hungry or he was suffering, he could do all thing because Jesus Christ is his strength Amen!