What gives you strength?
How do you find the motivation to keep going when it feels like you've reached the end of your rope?
The Bible tells us, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 13).
Berean Literal Bible perhaps translates it better as it says: "I have strength for all things in the One strengthening me."
This verse teaches us:
1. There's only 'One' source of strength
Jesus is our one and only source of strength.
God created us, and just like how leaves and branches need to remain with the tree to sustain life and nutrients, so do we need God to continually sustain and give us life.
Our society is so preoccupied with physical health and body image that we prioritise diets, exercise and strength training to stay strong and healthy. There are lots of benefits to healthy eating and exercise but we're disillusioned to think that we can take on anything by controlling our physical bodies.
When hardship and challenges come our way, a tsunami of stress and fear comes hurtling at us that even the toughest bodies can't handle.
We need to look to something, nay, someone who cannot be affected by even the harshest storms.
Jesus once upon a time was in a boat with his disciples. Whilst a raging storm was going on he was sound asleep, unaffected by the storm. His disciples woke him up and questioned if he cared about their lives.
Jesus got up and told the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" and tamed the storm.
Nothing in this world scares or worries Jesus, and nothing in this world is too big for him.
We can trust Jesus to be our source of strength. He alone can help us through whatever hardship or suffering we're going through right now.
2. Jesus is constantly strengthening us
I mentioned that the Berean Literal Bible's translation may be better because it highlights more accurately that in the original Greek of this letter, Paul uses the present continuous tense '-ing' to explain what Jesus does for us.
Jesus is 'strengthening' us every day. It's not a once off 'give us strength' and then off we go to tackle our problems.
Jesus walks beside us and is strengthening us in every situation. We are strong because we have the backing of the most powerful being in the universe, all day every day.
We need to be constantly reminded that our source of strength comes from God and that we can tap into this strength by continually relying on him. We walk by faith and not by sight. What we see in front of us may look like a broken relationship beyond repair, or financial hardship that leaves us desperate, but God cares and he promises to be with us wherever we go.
It is hard to keep going but God can lead us through it by strengthening us every day. We need to pray and continually trust in God's goodness.
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Paul had his fair share of hardships and suffering. Since becoming a Christian, he hadn't lived an easy life. He experienced financial hardship, faced persecution of many kinds, and came face-to-face with death a few times. He's been imprisoned, beaten and shipwrecked. He endured a lot of physical, mental and emotional suffering but he was able to joyfully say these words, "I have strength for all things in the One strengthening me."
Paul found his joy in Christ alone and Paul found his strength in Christ alone. He has run a good race and I'm sure he's now enjoying the rewards of being with Jesus in Paradise.