Philippians 4:12-13 (TPT)
12–13 I know what it means to lack,[be humbled] and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.
Let’s be honest. Sometimes, during life, we have to make major adjustments in order to handle the unplanned or unavoidable challenges in which we find ourselves. Recently in our country, many people have had to make major adjustments in order to deal with the injury left in the wake of Covid 19 and the CDC directed mandates. We have had to face and seek to overcome financial and emotional trauma imposed upon us like a suffocating blanket to our freedom, security, and our relationships. Some people were fortunate to be able to work from home or work in an “essential” area; therefore, financial support remained consistent even though they may have been forced to face a state of emotional trauma that left them feeling isolated and alone. However, for those people who were laid off, furloughed, or forced to closed their businesses, it stretched and depleted their resources for living, as well as pushed them emotionally into an unsettled or helpless state of thinking and existing. Whatever lack people face in life, whether they realize it or not, the spiritual need is the same; everyone needs the Conquering Savior. And, just to be clear, although I honor our government structure, the government is not your savior. In God we Trust!
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul shares about the power of God’s conquering Spirit to take him through the financial and emotional challenges of life. In Christ, Paul learns to adjust and trust no matter what is going on. He puts his faith in the power of Christ to gain the strength of God so he can endure and press through every difficulty. The beauty of life with Christ, as the Lord of our lives, is we never face things alone. Even when we are financially strapped or emotionally weary, God is powerful and his Spirit rises to bring spiritual power that fuels us with ideas, resources, and hope. Christ teaches and imparts the wisdom to look at things differently, adjust our vantage point, and call for the Helper. I believe the challenges we have been facing is a spiritual training time for Christians and a spiritual wake up call for the unbelieving world. I pray we all pay attention and find our lives under God’s rule for he alone cannot be shaken. He is the Conqueror and the rightful Ruler of every heart who is able to train us in the secret of overcoming all things.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being with me to bring the strength I need to overcome every challenge life brings. You make me a conqueror as I trust my life under your rule. In Jesus’ name. Amen.