I can do all this through him who gives me strength – Philippians 4:13

When we see this verse, it often conjures up images of a triumphant Christian life with a God-given power to heal the sick, free the oppressed, move mountains, break chains, and even defeat death. But these interpretations miss the true meaning of this verse – it is not a war cry to go and conquer, but rather a reminder to believers that no matter what trials they face, God is with them.

Paul did not write this from a position of victory, but from the perspective of a man who was under house arrest. He knew what it was like to be hungry, thirsty, cold and lacking clothing for weeks at a time. He was a loser, and in the world’s eyes, had nothing.

But through his relationship with Christ, Paul learned the secret of contentment. He realized that contentment did not have to be tied to your environment or situation, but was in fact something that could be learned regardless of one’s circumstances.

It is important to note that the word for “strength” in this passage is actually a translation of the Greek verb ischuo, which means to have vigor or strength. It can be used of physical strength, but is more commonly understood as mental or spiritual strength.

It is this power of God that enables Christians to overcome any challenge they encounter in their lives, no matter how big or small it may seem. It is the same power that allowed Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead and restore him to life, and it is the same power that enabled Paul to find hope and joy in even the darkest of times.