I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
Life has many tricky seasons and I’m in several. Can I get some empathy or solidarity? My family and I are rallying to care for an elderly relative who is advanced in years and now experiencing some significant decline. I don’t find it easy to watch someone who has been a rock for many around her, now struggling with basic tasks.
One of our daughters is experiencing the first real need for perseverance as she works toward major exams that will impact her future education choices. The other is struggling with the volume of schoolwork she has to wade through, while juggling two learning difficulties and I am trying to balance providing real support with giving them room to learn their own way forward. The task feels weighty.
And here I am trying to balance both seasons with working hard to get published, and the standard family needs for feeding, keeping clean, and chauffeuring around. All while trying to lose a few pounds and not self-medicate with sugar. (That’s very poor timing)!
Borrowed strength
If I’m honest, this all feels like a lot. And at times, like I’m drowning. But then I remembered the verse above. I’m praying that over myself regularly, claiming the scripture as my own. Because the promise of those words is massive. I CAN do all this, help my relative with compassion and determination, show my teens patience, find the energy to clean the bathroom or grab groceries. I CAN do all things, even when I want to curl up by the TV with all the cake.
Paul’s words here hold an important caveat, and that’s where I want to challenge us all, me included. In order to do all this (whatever your ‘this’ is) we need to gain our strength through Christ. He doesn’t say we do all this, he says we CAN do all this. There’s a choice. As with any gift, we have the option to not accept it. Unlike most gifts, this one requires humility and submission. The humility to see we need Christ’s strength, and then, once asking for the gift, the submission to his will in whatever the situation that requires his strength.
You CAN do all things through Christ’s strength, but WILL you? I pray that you’ll join me in accepting his remarkable gift.
Meet Debb
I’m a military wife, mom to two teenage girls, Young Lifer, worship leader, baker and poor but ardent skier. I bleed green and gold (go Pack) and love Jesus. I’ve written a Bible study for military wives and am working hard on a contemporary romance series.
If you’d like a great book on writing I helped with, here’s the link...
And you can find more Word on Wednesdays here…
Wow! Love this. It’s a choice. Sigh…..
Wow!!! Love this! It’s a choice. Sigh.
Great encouragement today, Debb! How often God allows us to run in our own strength, only to find without him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). It’s that understanding of dependence that will allow Him to make the difference…and what a difference He can make!
Amen – what a difference indeed. So lovely to see your name and face here. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I’m mightily encouraged by your words.
Debb,
A timely reminder. Sometimes it would be so easy to give in and grab the cake! I get it. Thankful to have Him by my side as I plow through my day. Praying for your girls! They CAN this!!
Blessings!
Debbie
Debbie, you are a wonderful encouragement. I’m eyeing a chocolate as I type but will go put it back!
Thanks for reading and stopping by to comment.
In Him,
Debbx
Beautiful article. I, too, drew strength from Christ while caring for my double amputee husband in his last two months of life. My physical strength was depleted. I was exhausted beyond measure. The only way I kept the pace was by drawing from the well of faith, knowing and believing “I can do all things” through Christ. He lifted me above my circumstances and gave me the power to complete the task.
Loretta I think you personified this promise while you cared for Ken. You are amazing. Thanks so much for commenting. Debbx.