For the thousands of church kids who grew up in humble means memorizing Bible scriptures, Philippians 4:13 is easily one of the most memorable Bible verses from all of those classic Sunday School lessons.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 King James Version (KJV)
But even after committing that short and powerful Bible verse to memory, as we grow older and face the many difficulties of life, it can be easy to forget the implications of this scripture.
It is important to remember the context from which this verse arises. It is written by Apostle Paul during one of the worst experiences of his life. But even in the midst of pain and persecution, Paul recognizes that there is no greater power than God’s power, and through Him, we can overcome ANY obstacle.
The power of Christ’s sufficiency gives us strength when we are weak – and through His strength – we can accomplish all things.
God is My Strength
So how do believers channel God’s strength in order to do all things? First, we must learn how to access God’s strength so that we can use it.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This means that we have access to God’s strength by having joy in the Lord even in hard times. Therefore, when the stresses of life attack our minds and tempt us to feel grief, as Christians, we must find joy in knowing that God can and will work things out.
In fact, even though we know God is a miracle worker, it is critical to understand that God may not solve our problems in a miraculous way. He might simply give us the strength to fight our own battles. And for that reason alone, we should have joy, through which, we access Christ’s strength.
When Will Christ Strengthen Me?
Many times when we endure pain and suffering, our natural reaction is to ask – even beg – “When will it end?” The solution seems so simple. It ends when Christ gives us strength according to Philippians 4:13 to make it through our difficulties. But exactly when is that?
This is precisely where our faith kicks into high gear because no man can predict when God will come through for us. Moreover, during hard times, our discernment for God may not be as clear as usual. But we are assured by our faith that God will see us through like he always has.
Let’s look at what Paul wrote in the scriptures right before he acknowledged that he could do all things through Christ:
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13 New International Version (NIV)
In the text above, Paul says that he rejoiced when God eventually came through for him and he acknowledges (verse 10) that he knew God was concerned about him even before He showed it. This is working faith. Paul knew God would see him through it.
Paul goes on to say that he knows what it means to have much and to have nothing. And in both instances, he has learned to trust God.
We too must adopt this kind of faith in God so, in the most difficult times, we can still have joy in the Lord, knowing that he will deliver us in time. It is through this joy that we access the strength of Christ. “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
With God All Things Are Possible
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 19:26 reminds us of God’s omnipotent power. The Bible is filled with stories of miracles that demonstrate the might of God. Those miracles give us an assurance that we can do anything through Christ. However, without Christ in our life, we risk going at life on our own… and that’s exactly where we don’t want to be.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me
For the thousands of church kids who grew up in humble means memorizing Bible scriptures, Philippians 4:13 is easily one of the most memorable Bible verses from all of those classic Sunday School lessons.
But even after committing that short and powerful Bible verse to memory, as we grow older and face the many difficulties of life, it can be easy to forget the implications of this scripture.
It is important to remember the context from which this verse arises. It is written by Apostle Paul during one of the worst experiences of his life. But even in the midst of pain and persecution, Paul recognizes that there is no greater power than God’s power, and through Him, we can overcome ANY obstacle.
The power of Christ’s sufficiency gives us strength when we are weak – and through His strength – we can accomplish all things.
God is My Strength
So how do believers channel God’s strength in order to do all things? First, we must learn how to access God’s strength so that we can use it.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This means that we have access to God’s strength by having joy in the Lord even in hard times. Therefore, when the stresses of life attack our minds and tempt us to feel grief, as Christians, we must find joy in knowing that God can and will work things out.
In fact, even though we know God is a miracle worker, it is critical to understand that God may not solve our problems in a miraculous way. He might simply give us the strength to fight our own battles. And for that reason alone, we should have joy, through which, we access Christ’s strength.
When Will Christ Strengthen Me?
Many times when we endure pain and suffering, our natural reaction is to ask – even beg – “When will it end?” The solution seems so simple. It ends when Christ gives us strength according to Philippians 4:13 to make it through our difficulties. But exactly when is that?
This is precisely where our faith kicks into high gear because no man can predict when God will come through for us. Moreover, during hard times, our discernment for God may not be as clear as usual. But we are assured by our faith that God will see us through like he always has.
Let’s look at what Paul wrote in the scriptures right before he acknowledged that he could do all things through Christ:
In the text above, Paul says that he rejoiced when God eventually came through for him and he acknowledges (verse 10) that he knew God was concerned about him even before He showed it. This is working faith. Paul knew God would see him through it.
Paul goes on to say that he knows what it means to have much and to have nothing. And in both instances, he has learned to trust God.
We too must adopt this kind of faith in God so, in the most difficult times, we can still have joy in the Lord, knowing that he will deliver us in time. It is through this joy that we access the strength of Christ. “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
With God All Things Are Possible
Matthew 19:26 reminds us of God’s omnipotent power. The Bible is filled with stories of miracles that demonstrate the might of God. Those miracles give us an assurance that we can do anything through Christ. However, without Christ in our life, we risk going at life on our own… and that’s exactly where we don’t want to be.
Bible Verses About Strength
For a comprehensive list of Bible verses about strength, read our blog post here.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
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