Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Paul, the prime example of having grit, stated in 2 Corinthians 11:28 that he had “daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches.” I don’t always think about Paul having anxiety and daily pressures, but I do think of my own and those around me. Then in the very following verses, he admits he has weaknesses. But the clincher is, when he brought one particular weakness to God and asked Him to take it away, to remove it, God spoke to Him in his need and said, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, Paul clung and applied those words to his own life and recognized God’s power and purpose would triumph amidst and despite any human weakness that Paul had. God’s presence is always in the present tense, emphasizing the ever-present availability of God’s grace which is sufficient for every believer.
What is going on in your life that you think if this weren’t the case, my life would be perfect?
What are you lacking? What don’t you have that would make you more content?
The Greek word for strengthen means to “put power in.” Paul knew his strength came from the Lord. He knew God could change his circumstances, but that God was more interested in changing Paul, in strengthening Paul inwardly, and that is God’s desire as well for us. Paul had realized that God was sufficient in his life as he stated in Philip. 4:11-12. God will infuse us with His strength to sustain us until He provides some type of provision – Jehovah Jireh (Ephe. 3:16-20). God knows the future we cannot see and is preparing us.
The Amplified Bible states Philippians 4:13 this way, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
Warren Wiersbe has said, “We are so rich in Christ that our riches cannot be calculated even with the most sophisticated computer . . . No Christian ever has to worry about having inadequate spiritual resources to meet the demands of life.” Reboot your self-talk and thoughts to say this statement: Because of God’s presence, provision, and sufficient grace that He will give me, and as I will be obedient to God and in my service to others, so God’s power will shine through me. Therefore, despite being in need, contentment will be accomplished because you can now say too with Paul, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s His Strength Is Perfect (illustrated) YouTube.