Exercising Faith
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13, ESV
Apostle Paul penned that he could be content in whatever situation he was in, and he would be able to do it all through Christ who strengthened him. I hear this scripture quoted so many times, but I wondered if we truly understand the magnitude of how Paul could come to a place to pen those words.
Paul truly understood what he was speaking about because of the many trials and tribulations he had been through. We have to remember that Paul was the same individual who when headed to Damascus, requested letters from the high priest to capture those who were disciples of Christ. Scriptures says “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-3).
God met him on the road to Damascus and changed his life forever. Jesus spoke directly to Paul, and he was blinded for three days. He had to wait for Ananias, a disciple of Christ, to heal him. Throughout his journey and by the time he pens those words he had been beaten, left for dead, shipwrecked, mistreated by some of his fellow brothers, sought after to be murdered, and the list goes on. Paul had suffered so many trials that he could say with confidence that no matter what the suffering, whether having an abundance or a little bit, he knew for certain the only way he was able to go through all those things was because Christ strengthened him for the journey.
I believe we all know that God will give us the strength we need to do anything He puts before us, but until our faith has been tested, our words do not have much power. We must remember that even if we fall short in the test, God will not leave us. As a matter of fact, He knows exactly how well we will do. Most times, the test is to bring revelation to us about the level of our faith. I have learned that areas I thought I was good in revealed a different outcome after I was tested. Now I repent and praise God for the journey of bringing me to another level of trust and awareness in Him. May we all one day be able to say, “I am content in whatever situation I am in because I know Christ Jesus will sustain me.”
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss