I remember seeing the poster quite often growing up. Sometimes there was a weight room in the background, or a baseball diamond, or another sports scene. And the verse scrawled across the top was Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

The poster was right up there in the locker room or classroom with the ones that read things like “If you believe it, you can achieve it” and “ “Go for the gold!”

Often I would quote the verse to myself before a tennis match for motivation. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! But at the end of the match, if I had lost, I remember being frustrated. I thought I had the ability to do anything with the strength of Christ?  Why did the Bible promise something and then not deliver? Why believe in the verse at all?

Also: What if my opponent was reciting the same verse? Then what happened? How do we both win?? 

That is the problem when we twist scripture to fit our own selfish ambition.

Without reading the whole passage, we can never understand what Paul truly meant when he wrote this verse. Once we read the verses before and get the full context, we can see that Paul is clearly not encouraging the Philippians in their quest for victory in a sporting event. Or for victory in any sense, for that matter. He says (4:11-12):

“…I have learned in whatever situation I am in 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.”

This strength Paul is speaking of refers to a “secret” he had learned. It’s something people search for and strive for and hope for their entire lives: how to be content. People are searching for contentment in jobs, money, fame, looks, all kinds of ways that the world promises. But Paul found the real secret. He found it didn’t matter if he was in a high position or sitting in a jail cell, whether he was surrounded by luxury or hadn’t eaten in days – he could be at peace. He did not let his circumstances dictate his happiness; he was fine no matter what came his way. 

And his secret: strength through Christ..

Which is more worthy? Which is of more value? Finding success in worldly achievements? Or finding peace and contentment throughout all of life’s circumstances?

Sure, it would be super fun to be a winning tennis star or have success and accolades for great achievements in life. But what is more valuable to me? Being able to navigate the ups and downs of life with the peaceful assurance that God provides. 

Because I sure needed that peace when my 17-year-old daughter was struggling through bad decisions that I couldn’t control. That peace was crucial when my husband and I were butting heads constantly about how to help her. That peace was so needed when we had to send her to boarding schools and treatment centers in hopes of some healing and answers. And that peace has been one hundred percent instrumental in surviving her loss.  

So yes, a Wimbledon trophy on my mantle would be nice. But having a steady, calm contentedness whether life is cruising along at an easy altitude or everything is blowing up – that is something I long for. I pray that I can have that same outlook on life that Paul found – whatever comes, bring it on! I can handle it all with the strength of Christ.