I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Phil. 4:13
Ooh, I have so much to share. It is exciting and incredible and also sobering and full of so much responsibility.
That verse above – how seriously do you take it? I’m sure you recognize it, but do you truly believe it? And when I say do you believe it, I mean do you believe it without reservation? Without a little voice in the back of your mind saying well not all things, I’m not God…
But what if I told you we have an amazing, incredible power through Christ? A capability that is only limited by our mind and our beliefs? Would you believe me?
Scripture is very specific in what it says. If we are told that we can move mountains, we can move mountains. If we are told we can do all things, we can do all things. Christ Himself said As you have believed, so will it be done for you.
Are these just words and verses from Sunday School? Not at all! These are words by which we should live our lives!
We Can Move Mountains
Here is an interesting parable.
And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. – Mark 11:22-23
I’ve always pondered why would we want to move a mountain into the sea. My thought was that mountains are enormous and it would be incredible to see them move. Casting them into the sea would represent having them being completely done away with.
But recently I read an entirely different take on it – what if the mountains represented our doubts and fears? And what if we faced them, rebuked them and cast them into the sea, didn’t allow them to have the power looming over us any longer, but rather drowned out the negative?!
We must have faith in our hearts, total, absolute, complete faith. (That’s where believing that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength comes in!) We must believe the best, believe that God is working all things for our good, believe that we are well equipped for where we are!
We Can Do All Things
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Phil. 4:13
Yes, we are coming back to this verse. I’ve known it as long as I can remember but I’m not sure I gave it the true credit and weight for what it says up until very recently.
I can do all things – all things – not just easier or not-too-hard things, but all things. And not through my own strength or power, but through Christ who strengthens me. Ooh what a precious gift!
I read a wonderful suggestion regarding this verse. Much like intentional health habits help you stay in good health (drink water, get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet, etc), intentional spiritual habits will propel you forward. Repeat this verse (Phil. 4:13) out loud 10 times a day. And when you say it, really believe it. Lean in to the incredible truth and power in those words.
Since reading this suggestion, I’ve found myself in a few difficult or trying situations the last few weeks. As I begin to feel overwhelmed and overcome, I remember this verse and I recite it. (if I’m alone I recite it out loud, but if I’m with others I just think it really hard!) I often have to recite it more than once.
The first time through I say it out of a reminder to myself, kind of a don’t fret, we’ve (Christ and I) got this! I’m well equipped! And then I’ll recite it again and make a deliberate effort to relax my shoulders, to lift my head up, and imagine success in the area that momentarily has me concerned.
This Simple Reminder Truly Works Wonders
Commit today to make it part of your life! Recite it in the morning as you wake up, say it again as you get your coffee and start your day. As you sit down to work or walk in to the office, remind yourself again. Lunch break is another great time to go over it, plan for success and progress, thank God for His guidance. As you close out your work day say it again. On the way home, repeat that precious reminder. Over supper and clean up, claim that amazing promise. And as you close your eyes to sleep, claim it again! It will change your life.
As We Believe
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. – Matt 8:13
As you have believed, so it will be done for you – those aren’t just words. They are truth and an incredibly precious gift. Believe them and absorb them. Let them become written on your heart so that they are your faith-filled reaction when trials come.
Train yourself to cast aside worries and doubts, they rob us from seeing and appreciating all the precious promises God has blessed us with! Seek to make this a new chapter in your life. Really pursue it and believe it – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
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