We can do all things through Christ!

A Devotion

By Joe Guagliardo

We can do all things through Christ!

Philippians 4:12-13; Matthew 11:28-30; John 16:33b

October 18, 2023

I read the passage above online recently. Although the following passage is much more familiar to me (and you), these words of Paul’s made me pause and do some personal reflection.

Let’s take a look at the NIV version.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Philippians 4:12

Take a moment to reread the passage above …

This passage isn’t just about Paul. It’s about you and me, too. We all go through stages in our lives. We all have times of need and go through times of plenty. Example:

My wife Kathy and I moved to Florida in 1977. We had very low-paying jobs and could only afford to spend $20 weekly on groceries. Have you been there?

Yet, we’ve had times of plenty, having good-paying jobs, expensive vacations, and plenty of gifts at Christmas. Most of us have had plenty and also been in need in our lives.

Believe me when I say that’s not the only time we’ve been in need. But we can make it through these circumstances through patience, prayer, and love. We’re never alone, no matter what our situations are.

This is how we get through the rough times in verse 12. Jesus gives us the strength to get through difficult times.

We sometimes forget that Jesus never said our lives would be easy if we follow Him. What He did say is:

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus wants to take away the problems that bog us down in life. He promises to give us rest from those problems. What does Jesus want in return? He wants us to give our problems to Him and allow Him to guide our lives.

None of this means we won’t have problems in our life. We all know we do and probably are right now. But Jesus made another promise:

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33b

Yes, our lives may not be easy while we are in this world. We will have trouble. But that is why Jesus came to this world. Our God sent His Son Jesus to overcome the world, to overcome sin.

He did just that when He died on the cross and rose three days later. He threw the gates of heaven open to all of humanity. For now, we toil, we serve, and we have hardships. But someday, we will leave it all behind because of what Jesus did for you and me.