Phil 4:13- We like to live it out for accomplishing something, but what about overcoming something?
The Blog Writing for me has never been the next faddish thing to do! Penning Blogs were a part of God taking me out of my comfort zone! Hosting A Beautiful Life Talk Show on a network was a test needed to really identify how much I have to crucify my flesh so that His Will lives out through me.
Philippians 4:13 is a heavily sought after verse for accomplishing a feat, but often no topical study associated with it in times of adversity. Let us take a closer examination to the preceding verses…
Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.” Paul writes to Thank them for their support, but also for the Philippian Church to understand the importance of contentment! Philippians 4:13 encompasses the phrase “All things”. It is not a statement made by Paul to put all our weight on accomplishing something that we desire! It also puts a demand on our lives to suffer well!
Do not go AWOL on this post yet. It is riddled with empowerment and promise. There is something to showing up for God and being present when your heart is broken or you are unsure of His Plans. What excuse will ever compare to One Night with the King? We often want healing to be this isolated event where we decide when we will make an appearance again. However, I have found that in your press of desperation is where we become the Words that have been preached before us.
You will start replaying Messages in your heart. “Oh, that Word was for that Season.” “Oh, this Word was for me to share with my Sister for this Season.” Nothing God says is idle or happenstance! We serve a God where everything that comes from Him goes to perform what He said! Mountains move at His Voice; Bodies of Water formed shape at His Word; and Light overtook Darkness by what He spoke!
We will put in the time for our place of employment. Proudly do double digit hours to accomplish the goal. Go for broke to maintain a relationship! Go beyond our body’s limit to bear a child through IVF measures. When was the last time we turned down our plates; shut the world out and purposed in our hearts not to go through this Season of Suffering as if we had no hope? Have we ever prayed, “God, this time, the suffering will not get more press than You keeping and sustaining me!” “God, I will not go in the Witness Protection program when it is time to tell of your goodness even when the bottom is falling!
We have not truly lived the abundant life until we can see “Suffer well” as possible and pursuant of making it a reality in our lives. All roads in our heart of decisions should lead back to…How much do I owe, and What does He truly deserve?
I leave you with this powerful passage on suffering, taken from Romans 5:1-5…
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s lovehas been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Divine Work & Pray:
Work:
Jot down in the Divine Design Journal your thoughts concerning Philippians 4:13. How can it be applied to your suffering?
Pray:
Father God, Your Splendor is forever present. Your Majesty remains on display. I am in awe for what You deposit in Your children. The very exchange that is given is grossly one-sided when we think about the miracle of You giving us New Life! Great is Your faithfulness. May be remember that both on the mountain and in the valley! Thank You for being able to see that Philippians 4:13 can apply in every season of our lives. In moments of laughter and sorrow, You, Oh God remain! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
