Philippians 4:13 is a verse many Christians recite and rely on, and I am surely one of them. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” I love how this verse has empowered me. There have been times in my years when I’ve interpreted that verse as a sort of endowment of superpowers: my translation has been ‘I can accomplish nearly anything as long as I hold on to God in faith.’ The verse has felt like a red suit and cape, instilling resilience, courage, and power to vanquish hardship and challenge. Look out world, I’m strong and I will conquer!
Now, though, I’m changed from that young, energetic woman who embraced the tights and cape – I’m aging – things ache that didn’t used to, I have new wrinkles, I’m more aware that days are numbered. Life feels hard more often. Anger and disappointment abound in our world and touch me more frequently than I’d prefer. Griefs and sadnesses assail, and this I do not like. In defense, I spend more intentional time reading the scripture. Naturally, in search of my lost wonder-woman status, I’ve returned to Philippians 4. But this time, I’ve taken the bold step of reading the verses that surround verse 13
In verses 11 and 12, Paul isn’t talking about superhuman accomplishments. He describes normal life – in need and with plenty. It is in THAT context Paul says he can do all things. Hmmm. Now I have a new understanding. Paul isn’t talking about being bullet proof and able to stop trains. He says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Contentment. Contentment? At first I chafe: contentment is cow-like and inactive. Fat but not sassy. But the more I ponder this, the more sure I am of a new idea – there’s a different, perhaps stronger and deeper kind of power in this new perspective for me. Earlier, in Chapter 3, Paul explains the key of being thankful and living with and in Jesus. With this in mind, being content in every situation doesn’t mean complacency or inactivity but it does mean giving up control of the outcome and finding peace in the journey. Contentment means accepting that I might not be bullet proof because I know I’m still safe.
