One of the most favorite verses in the Bible for Christians is found in Philippians 4. It says, “I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). This verse has been on the lips of many followers of Jesus when they are facing difficult situations in life. It is verse easy to quote, but for many it is hard to see any evidence of it in their lives.
How do you get to the point where you can say, “I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me?”
Let’s start with verse 4 were Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice.” This is the critical first step in the life of a believer that will lead to verse 13 being fulfilled in your life. Paul’s statement is an imperative command which means we are commanded to rejoice in life. The key to a life of faith is finding the joy that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Nehemiah knew the importance of this truth when he said, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).
When our lives are characterized by joy that comes from knowing the Lord, then the next step in our lives is to let others see our gentleness. The ability to stay under control as you face life. It takes absolutely no skills or character to lose control. Any fool can lose his temper. It takes great courage and strength to be gentle (power under control). When I truly believe that God is at work and all is good, then I am filled with joy and my life will be lived with self control.
This leads to the third step which is to stop worrying and to be thankful in our prayers. Paul says “do not be anxious about anything.” There is not a situation in life that should cause us to lose a night sleep or to consume our thought and our concerns. A person who truly lives in the joy of the Lord and is gentle has learned not to be worried by life. And with this frame of mind, to concentrate on prayer to the Lord and the prayers that come out of the mouth of the believer will be filled with thanksgiving. Paul then gives us a promise that our minds will be consumed with peace.
This leads to the next step that Paul gives us in verse 8 and that is now you are in position to think and reflect correctly. Instead of your thoughts being consumed by anger and negativity, you will begin to reflect upon that which is honorable, just, pure, and lovely. The joy of the Lord leads to a mindset that finds the good that is in life. The good in life is there to be seen by those who walk by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the key to getting to verse 13 is to practice joy, gentleness, prayer with thanksgiving, and reflecting on all that is good. Paul says to practice this over and over until it becomes a vital part of your life.
Then one day you wake up and you are content with life. You are happy and it is not dependent on the circumstances of life. Paul says he has learned the secret of being content. What was the secret:
- Faith in Jesus Christ
- Joy from knowing the Lord
- Gentleness that flows out of joy
- No worrying in life
- Praying with thanksgiving
- Meditating on that which is good
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Now the simple thought – if I have learned to be content, then I can now say with Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
