{"id":15380,"date":"2026-09-17T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=15380"},"modified":"2026-09-05T13:01:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T18:01:15","slug":"strength-through-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/strength-through-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Strength Through Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In my book, 4:13: Doing Hard Things with Strength<\/em>, I share how this verse changed my life, helping me change my thinking and face difficulties with confidence. Driving home from a girls’ weekend, struggling with anxiety over driving, I began repeating this verse, then I tailored it to address the fears plaguing me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can do hard things through Christ who strengthens me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By meditating on those words and allowing God\u2019s truth to seep into my being, I conquered my anxiety and found new freedom in Christ. When we lean into the Lord\u2019s promises and apply them to our lives, they lead us to a freedom we can find no other way. God doesn\u2019t want us tied up in knots, worrying about things we can\u2019t control. Instead, He tells us to trust Him for the strength we need to face our giants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while in prison, very probably chained to a guard. In the previous verses, he talked about finding contentment no matter what his circumstances. Through the Savior, he had learned to live with abundance and endure hunger, as well as experience prosperity and face hardships. Then he concludes with today\u2019s verse: I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201ceverything\u201d refers to every situation God allows him to face, not every dream or ambition he might have. Just as the Lord gave me strength to conquer my fears and anxiety, He gives us what we need when we need it through Christ, who strengthens us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul teaches us that Jesus provides strength for today\u2019s challenges. God doesn\u2019t remove our difficulties, but He provides the strength to walk through them. We also learn that contentment comes from trusting Christ and receiving His joy that doesn\u2019t depend on our circumstances. Our sufficiency comes from Jesus. Instead of relying on our own abilities, we depend on the Savior for endurance, wisdom, courage, and peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving down that mountain on that day long ago, I found divine contentment as I prayed those words and let them become part of me. Now, when a mountain rises before me, I think of that day and the work God did in me, and I face it with the strength of Jesus, knowing He will give me what I need when I need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find contentment in Christ, as you allow Him to strengthen you and guide your ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n