Where Does My Strength Come From?

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

WOW! Look at those muscles. I wonder how long it took him to gain the strength to do a push-up with one hand, holding a weight, balancing on a weight, and on his toes. I wonder who coached him and how he was coached. I just don't have the mindset to chase that goal. But I do have another goal that includes a coach who will encourage, correct, and strengthen me. 

Looking back at our verse, I notice the word "which". In many translations and in our own mental gymnastics, that word is translated as "who". "I can do all things". I don't think that means one-handed pushups with weights, but maybe there are things to be done that will strengthen me even more than pushups. 

Paul lists things he had learned to do. 

• Be content
• To be abased - lowly, humble
• abound - live well with plenty
• suffer need - hungry, lonely

Paul knew how to weather through the hard times and enjoy the good times. He knew that Christ was the one who strengthened him. Christ was his coach to get him through. Had he done nothing, had he refused to be based, to live without plenty, to suffer need, Paul would not have been able to reach the goal Christ had set for him. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. Most likely, if you are reading this, you are a Gentile brought to the knowledge of Christ through first the preaching, the obedience of Paul. Christ was like a coach whose encouragement pushed him to continue in the work.  Once Paul overcame one obstacle, he could feel strengthened to push forward to another goal. If you follow the travels of Paul, you can see he went into dangerous places that were far from home. He couldn't take the next plane home when the ship wrecked. He didn't throw up his hands and quit when he was beaten near to death or thrown in jail. Paul knew Christ would meet his needs, strengthening him whether he was alone or had friends at his side. 

Reading all that Paul went through makes me wonder how I would handle an uncomfortable situation. I've been on mission trips to a third-world country. It's not how I'd want to spend the rest of my life, but I know those who do, and I know it is Christ who gives them the strength to keep going. 

Christ has a plan for each of us. Each of us faces challenges that will strengthen our walk for Him. We must keep pressing toward the goal and never give up.

Father God, strengthen me when I am weak. Encourage me when I feel down or disheartened. Help me look to you and to others whom you have helped. Help me be like Paul, weathering the storms and enjoying the blessings in the calm. In Jesus' name. Amen.