"I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me."

It seems for years that I confused the meaning of this verse with another one of Paul's letters. I had thought that Philippians 4:13 had to do with endurance when Paul went through so many trials with being shipwrecked, beaten, put in prison etc.



I wasn't too far off the mark. It still has something to do with endurance. But, when I read Philippians it had nothing at all to do with him being beaten, or shipwrecked but he was in prison when he wrote this. It has to do with his gratitude for the Philippian church sending him a gift to survive in prison.

I love this verse so much I had it tattooed on my forearm when I thought I only had a year or so to live. I recite it and pray it all the time. I wanted to remind myself that even though I'm in end stage liver failure I can still be a man who walks in Christ. I'm now 3 years past the time they gave me to live. Originally, I was given 3 to 5 years to live. At the time that I got the tattoo, I had about a year left according to the doctors estimated time frame.

When fear, and anxiety pop in my mind and heart and I don't know what to pray, or think there are two prayers that pull's my spirit back to focussing on Christ. The first is "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." I repeat that until I feel calm and centered. The other of course is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I also repeat that when I feel that I'm in danger, or going through some very difficult times like now.

In Philippians 4:10-12 Paul is talking about being content in any circumstance. He says,  "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now, at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

Although, he is using food as an example of being humble (going without) and in prosperity (having plenty) I think that it applies to all situations in life. The key, I think, is trusting the Lord for all our needs. Sometimes the Lord provides plenty, and sometimes little, but always be content (grateful) for what you've got.

So, for me, I'm grateful that I still have a roof over my head and a full belly. Although, I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't a little anxious and fearful about having to move in 3 weeks, and not having any prospects yet. I do trust the Lord, but I still have that fear in the back of my mind. Although the fear and anxiety isn't controlling, I hate that it's still there.

Please pray that I find an apartment soon! My deadline is March 31st. I pray that I can look back at this post at a later date and say gosh, what was I so worried about!

God bless,
John