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“God’s time is always on time”
Natasha writes:
For the longest time, Philippians 4:13: “Christ gives me the strength to face anything” (CEV), has been my favorite verse. I’m Australian, so when I first accepted my job here in the States, I thought the process in obtaining a visa would be pretty straightforward, and that I would be state-side within a few months. Those few months blew out to become closer to 2 years, and while in hindsight, such a span in time does not seem overly long, at the time, the wait became excruciating. On many occasions I was ready to throw in the towel and stay where I was in Australia, but God kept nudging me to hold on. There would be days where I would open up my email and just cry. I felt helpless, and I didn’t know what to do. Philippians 4:13 kept playing over in my head until finally I discovered what it really meant to put my trust fully in God: while I continued to wait, have my job description, location, and start-date continually changed, I did not worry, fear, or become angry. I knew that in everything, God gave me the strength to face it, and He had it all under control.
Things eventually worked out. Because of God’s perfect timing, so many other things happened that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish had things gone according to my plan.
In this one experience in my life, this verse came alive for me. How has it come alive for you?
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on August 24th, 2006 and filed under Your Stories, Struggles, God's Sovereignty, Life Verse.
August 25th, 2006 at 7:35 am
Thanks Natasha. This is an important reminder to me right now. God often puts us in impossible circumstancess in order to see if we will rely on His power or our own. Just as David trusted the Lord to do the impossible when he faced and killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17), so we need to trust that He will give me strength to face all things through Christ.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:10 am
I’m a recently-divorced single working mom back in college. For me, it’s the word “everything” that makes this verse so meaningful right now. The NIV says, ” I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Everything is so broad, that in my head I say it situationally. “I can fold this load of laundry through Him who gives me strength.” “I can resist the cupcakes and wait until my nutritious dinner through Him who gives me strength.” It’s these small battles I face a dozen times a day where failures wear me down and make me feel worthless, or successes give me confidence and a clear head. I tell myself, “Today I can stay on budget at the grocery store through Him who strengthens me.” and I know that He is with me there, helping me choose the best use of my money for His will and glory. Sometimes I feel like I can’t make it through the daily grind, but I know I can, and I will, one thing at a time, through Him who strengthens me.
January 28th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Reading this scripture gives me chills, because I know that it was God who brought me out, and gave me strength to endure the things that I have endured and continue to endure. In the past I have been abused- but it was Christ that strengthened me to get through. I have lost 3 children, but it was Christ that strengthened me to get through. Right now, I am going through multiple health issues, but it is Christ that has strengthened me, and continues to strengthen me. I will get through this life, because Christ strengthens me.