“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11b-13; italics mine.)
“When we put ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ in context, we see that Paul was saying, ‘I’ve had seasons in life where I’ve had nothing and seasons where I’ve had everything. I’ve developed the ability to thrive in both seasons by learning to access the resource that never changes, no matter the season, namely, Christ’s strength.’
For us to navigate the same range of circumstances and find God, our strength in every situation, we have to know were to look and how to continue to look there in the face of the enemy’s distractions. Typically, these distractions are going to try to get us to (1) wish we were in someone else’s process, (2) resist the lessons God is trying to teach us in our circumstances, (3) rush the process, or (4) skip steps in the process. Falling for any of these will prevent us from thriving and will ultimately put us in dangerous places. Avoiding these will enable us to find our strength – God – and grow regardless of the seasons or circumstances. ” (Rooted, by Banning Liebscher, pg 16-17)
Where is your strength? In your abilities, job, relationships, self-worth? Your accomplishments? None of these are bad in and of themselves, but when we face trials, our strength is honed to fine steel when we learn to trust Christ, and recognize that our strength comes from Him, and Him alone.
In His Rest, Jackie Scott