I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
Several weeks ago, I wrote “Healing for ALL!” I referenced, Acts 5:16 (NIV), which says, “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and ALL of them were healed.” (Emphasis mine)
While awaiting a healing touch from the Lord, we can be so focused on that need that we miss other things He has done, and is presently doing for us. My physical disabilities have resulted in some emotional and spiritual challenges as well, but my journey continues as I experience healing, or await healing in those areas.
Last week, I wrote about the impact of Job’s words, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5 NIV) Through my times of greatest need, I have learned that I am able to trust God in all situations. I have seen His faithfulness time after time. Learning to depend on God more with the passing of time has led to my ongoing spiritual healing. As time goes by, my dependence on God is increasing and my self-reliance is decreasing.
God has worked in my life to transform my thinking from concentrating on my inadequacy and my weakness, to accepting that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When the Lord began reminding me that His words about me were more important than anyone else’s opinions, this verse became the foundation to my renewed thinking.
Only God is able to see our hearts, know His plans for us and know our life experiences and how they have affected us. Additionally, only God knows the full potential that He created us to reach.
When people see me, they immediately see my physical impairment and sometimes offer a compassionate response. I’m happy to say that there is much more to the story of my life than my physical condition. Physically I am weak, but I am strong in other ways because of strength that only the Lord can give me.
I am able to see God at work in my life. I know His presence with me daily. That is the source of my spiritual strength, and it is vital to my emotional well-being as well.
New experiences can be a little daunting for most people. I have always found that to be true for me. I’m much better now than I used to be, but facing each new experience requires a decision on my part to trust God. I may not know what challenges I will need to face, but God does. His reminder to me is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Another area where I have seen the Lord’s faithfulness through this verse is in the area of addiction. My specific addition has been to food. For years I have prayed, “Lord, I know my physical activity level is low and I don’t burn a lot of calories, but please help me to eat properly and lose weight. Several years ago, I lost considerable weight due to a health issue, but when I recovered from that illness, I prayed specifically that God would do as Romans 8:28 (NKJV) says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
God has done a miracle for me in the area of food addiction. My desire has changed such that if I know something is not good for my body, I am able to use self-control, and pass on it altogether or have a little taste in moderation. I control my food intake, food no longer controls me. When I received Jesus into my life, the Holy Spirit came to live inside of me and He enables me to live in victory in this way.
Living in the knowledge that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” has allowed me to live in victory instead of defeat. As long as I am human, there will always be things that I need to deal with in my life, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, I know that victory is possible. Not in my own strength, but because He gives me the strength I need. For me, that means spiritual and emotional healing.
My prayer is, “Lord, I thank you for giving me the strength I need for every situation. Please help me to be strong, and not afraid of the future, even though I don’t know what lies ahead for me. I trust you to go before me to prepare the way. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
