I can do all things through Christ

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13 (NKJ)
This is a great testimony of faith, which requires us to swallow our fear and stand on strong legs. To accept this statement as truth means that we are willing to act, even if we are afraid. We meet challenges head on; we rely on the strength of Jesus in our times of sorrow and crisis. We keep the eyes of the heart firmly fixed on the Rock, and on the truth that God is able, even when we are not.

In the mind's eye, we stand; we take the hand, lean on the arm, of our loving parent. We cast aside our pride, the independence in the human spirit that craves to do it by ourselves, to prove to God that you are worthy. God does not care about your worthiness. He already knows you weakness, your sins, and your limitations. When the Christian accepts that God is real, and that He is the rewarder of those that seek Him, God stands, opens His arms, and accepts us. He does not say, "Well, okay, come into my kingdom. But if you want to stay here, you better straighten up." He greets us as a mother greets her newborn child, taking the fragile, helpless infant into her arms, cradling the child, filled with joy, and overcome by love.

Just as a child learns to crawl, walk, and interact with strangers, always keeping a watchful eye on the mother, so Christian learn that they can accomplish all the things that they are asked to do by keeping a watchful eye on God.

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Cor 10:12-13)  This passage reminds me it is Christ who is strengthening me; there is no room for pride. In each situation, it is important to remember that God will not ask us to do what we cannot do. If we become involved in a situation or challenge that is beyond our capacity, God Himself will provide the way to remove ourselves.

As we mature in the Christian walk, we learn that God is always with us, always on our side. Life throws us curves, disappoints us, and challenges us. However, as the pride, selfishness, and worthless ambitions dissolve, we begin to adapt to the personality of God. We grow to understand who we are in Christ, and seek His purpose in our lives. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we understand that in ourselves we know nothing.

We begin to see the world as God sees it, filled with humans looking for hope. And we have that hope. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil 4:10-13)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" is the verse from the King James Version. Knowing that we can do all things through Christ, we are strengthened by that knowledge.