Do you know what one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is? “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Have you heard that verse? It’s a great verse! “I can do everything!” That’s exactly what we want to hear. “If you want to be a superhero, you can do it!” “If you want to be an NBA basketball player, you can do it!” “If you want to be the CEO of your company, I can do everything through him who gives me strength!”
But then at some point in your life, you discover that you can’t do everything. Don’t be surprised! We take this verse out of its context in the Bible. God never promises you that you can do everything you want to. Here’s what Paul writes: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
“I can do everything” isn’t talking about being a superhero or winning championships. It’s talking about contentment. The apostle Paul had found the secret to being content in everything because of Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with contentment. There are tons of things in my life that aren’t going according to my plans. There are lots of things I would change if I had my way. Being content is one of the hardest things in life! That’s why we need this verse. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Contentment is found in Jesus. Contentment is possible only by God’s grace. Even when you have no power to change anything, contentment comes from Jesus’ strength. May God give us the grace to know the secret to contentment that Paul found: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
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