"The Secret"

Recently I was reading an article someone wrote based on Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." The writer was using this verse as a 'pep-rally' verse. The constant repeating it was being used as a positive thinking verse and if "we would claim it as ours" (his words), it would be as if something magical would happen. Now I will tell you, I don't like 'sour' tones but I don't like fluff either because God's character is not fluffy and puffy!

Let's think carefully about the context of the above verse. In Phil. 4:10-12, Paul is speaking of how he moved from weakness to strength. There is a sustaining power. The congregation had sent help to him to help with his preaching, but that was not the issue. It has been a while since they helped and now they were helping again and Paul "rejoiced in the Lord greatly." But there was something deeper. Paul learned something that many never see or learn. He learned in every circumstance contentment. He learned how to deal with life that it doesn't matter if you have or if you are lacking, that's not the issue. He learned to be faithful and focus on God. That's the secret!

The secret is what unlocks the power in ones life and Paul had found it. Too many people are driven by their desires, their feelings and even restlessness. They want something but are not sure what it is. In many, there is this great desire just to do something! There is a driving force of wanting. These desires and feelings are propped up with the repeated words "doing all things through Him who strengthens me." It is like a battle cry but that's not the proper understanding of what is meant. Jesus does not work like that.

Paul found his strength day by day. He learned how to lean on the Lord and that helps one settle down under His control. That is when you find your wants, your feelings and longings to dwindle. People seem to do very little Bible reading and they never come into a deeper understanding of the Lord which leads to all these abuses in God's word. It didn't matter about circumstances with Paul. It mattered of walking and being faithful to Jesus. That's the secret to unlock the power in our lives.

There is why Paul (and us if we would allow) could find in all things, strength through Jesus. With Jesus, even the worst situation there is help, hope and strength. We need to learn to focus on the Lord and depend on His strength when we are without. In good times and bad times, learning how to let Him help brings strength. That's the secret many miss!