I Can Do All Things Through Christ
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Never a truer word has been uttered.
Walking through difficult seasons where past trials easily tempt us back into old behavioral patterns rooted in stress and worry is undeniably tough. In our humanity, the weight can feel crushing. But when we fix our eyes firmly on Jesus, we never have to slip into condemnation or shame; instead, we press on.
When we are in the thick of the struggle, our human mind naturally asks: What is this all for?
In those vulnerable moments, the enemy whispers his familiar, destructive lie: Is God really with you? If He loved you, why are you going through this?
Yet, when we choose to stay faithful no matter what, two miraculous things happen: a) God builds our spiritual resilience to heavenly measures, forging an unshakeable inner strength. b) We look back and see the faithfulness of God in hindsight.
Think of Moses. He looked at his own stuttering tongue and current circumstances, feeling completely inadequate. He certainly didn't know why he was selected or how God was going to use a man with a speech impediment to free millions of slaves. But God used him anyway.
In the past, the enemy used our trials to drag us into paralyzing worry and unbelief. But when we stay faithful, we look back and are staggered by just how far the Lord has brought us.
God is truly who He reveals Himself to be. The Bible is the ultimate confirmation of His unchanging character, and Jesus is the ultimate confirmation of how intensely He loves us.
He willingly went to the cross so that we could have the incredible privilege of prayer. Because of that sacrifice, prayer must always be our first response before any action. Before we plan, before we stress, and before we scramble, we must pray, thank Him, and ask Him to order our steps.
He desires our hearts just as any loving parent longs for the affection and trust of their children. Everything He allows, everything He does, is entirely for us and flows out of His complete and perfect love.
Strength in the Struggle: Where are you relying on your own strength today instead of the strength Christ supplies?
Faithfulness in Hindsight: Can you look back and name the places God carried you further than you thought possible?
Prayer First: Is prayer your first response to pressure, or the last thing you reach for after the plans fail?
“Father, thank you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When old patterns of stress and worry pull at me, fix my eyes on Jesus and keep me from condemnation and shame. Build in me a resilience that only comes from you, and let me see your faithfulness in hindsight. Teach me to pray first, thank you first, and trust that everything you allow flows out of your perfect love. In Jesus' name, amen.”