Strength in Every Season

Philippians 4:13 is a popular Bible verse that you may have seen posted on signs, social media, stickers, or cars. Maybe you’ve heard someone recite this verse before a sporting event or while trying to accomplish a difficult task.

Unfortunately, this verse is often misunderstood. This verse is not saying that we can accomplish whatever we want. Paul isn’t talking about winning a sports game or having the courage to do something daring.

Instead, Paul is actually talking about his time in prison. He is referencing the power of God that was with him during this difficult time of ministry.

In Philippians 4:12 he talks about the power he has to live content in every situation in life. He learned how to live with abundance and with nothing. He learned to live with very little food and resources, and also with a lot of food and resources.

Paul found that regardless of his circumstances, God continued to supply him with the power to do the work of God. He never lacked the strength and resources to tell others about the good news of Jesus—even while he was stuck in a prison.

Paul could live in every season of life and accomplish all that God asked of him through the strength that God gave him.

So, instead of God giving us strength to do anything we want, He gives us the strength we need to endure various circumstances and accomplish the mission that He has given us. This means that you will never lack any resource to live a growing and godly life, or to share the good news of Jesus with others.

If you’re in a season of abundance or a season of lack, remember that God is the one who gives you the strength to endure every season. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, ask God to supply you with the strength that only He can give.

My Thoughts

I think I am like most people when I honestly admit that I have used this verse incorrectly, thinking it means only that God will give me the strength to finish a job or to face a challenge. Well, it does kind of mean that. But this devotional today opened my eyes to the fact that the real thing God wants us strengthened to do is His will. And what is His will? We are to fulfill the Great Commission to “go and tell.” As an introverted person, I have to depend on God’s strength to even approach the cashier’s station, much less talk to them about the Lord. God is showing me daily that He does not expect more of me than I can give, but He does have expectations for which He will give me strength to carry out. I don’t have to stand in front of a group of people and share my testimony, but I can pronounce a blessing on the clerk who helps me in the store and I can ask the waitress if she needs prayer for anything. Both of these may seem simple to you, but for me they are a lot since I prefer to avoid people rather than speak to anyone that I don’t know well. I am the one who used to spend a lot of time in the bathroom during social functions and came out only if I knew my husband would be ready to leave soon. I have missed so many opportunities to tell others about my faith and how they can have the same relationship with the Lord because I was depending on my own strength and boldness. I am so thankful to know that it’s not my strength but God’s and He will give me the words and the boldness when I need it.

I am not saying that I will change overnight. I know that I won’t. After all, I have spent over seventy years withdrawing from the world and only coming out when I needed to. But I will say that God is working on me and when I am out on errands, He is prodding me more to speak out and to speak up. Have you claimed the promise in this verse today? What does it mean to you?