13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
These are often quoted words, but the context makes their meaning very clear. They are not a statement about the power inherent in the believer that makes them able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. They are not a mantra to be cited when you want an obstacle to go away. The verses just before this verse talk about Paul’s ability to live with abundance and with the extreme lack of resources. He was able to make it through each of these circumstances without losing his faith. His hunger did not mean he was failing as a believer. When he had lots of food, it did not mean he was more successful at his faith. Paul learned the lesson that the outward circumstances are not connected to his faith. Paul had learned contentment. Whatever the outward circumstance, Paul was OK with them. He had learned that the Lord would give him the strength to make it through every circumstance. To put it in our current context, if we live in a mansion or in a homeless shelter following our foreclosure, we can be content. The Lord will carry us through. He will give us the strength we need to make it through. Paul could have gotten on a pity party about some of his circumstance. He was shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead. (Stoned as in rocks were thrown at him in order to kill him, not stoned as in he spent too much time partying!) But Paul had learned to be content. His relationship with Jesus gave him the strength to make it through each and every circumstance. Are you willing to learn contentment? It will be a hard and long lesson, but the rewards will be great. You will get to experience God’s strength in new ways.
The Arnold Journey 