I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Did you ever memorize this verse as a child? If not, I suspect you’ve heard it before if you’ve ever attended Sunday school or listened to many children’s sermons. It’s easy to get carried away with a Superman mentality with this verse – then try something really hard, fail, and become disillusioned.

When we have problems with this verse, it is because we take it out of the context of the rest of the verses that come before it and try to make it fit anything and everything we want to do.

Find verse 13 in the following passage (Philippians 4:10-14) – there are three translations to choose from. If you aren’t in too big of a hurry, you might read the whole passage.

Notice that this passage isn’t about Paul performing wondrous feats of strength or doing miracles. Paul is actually talking about being content with very meager provisions while in jail. He is saying that his relationship with Jesus Christ keeps him strong so he can be content with whatever comes to him – poverty, prison, chains, and in plenty.

Our strength comes from being content with Jesus and the provisions he gives us. God sometimes uses trying times to make us grow, and to make us sensitive to the needs of others around us. And when the time is right, we will find God is ready to do something powerful through us.

Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. You don’t want to skip watching this YouTube video of Nick Vujicic.

Make a determined effort to thank God for what he has given you, even if you have felt disappointed because you don’t have what you see others enjoy.

Father God, sometimes it is hard to thank you for my cell phone because my friends have smart phones that let them go online and do Facebook. And I can get feeling disappointed when I see all the cool clothes some of my friends wear that my family can’t afford. I just read how the Apostle Paul had learned to be satisfied with less. Help me find the peace Paul had. Remind me of the freedoms I have in Christ who died so I could be forgiven – so I could be clean in your eyes. I have so much to learn. Help me to grow in my faith.

Listen to Nick tell about finding contentment

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