Strength for All Things

Sometimes I think that we have two lives: the one we show the world and the one inside us. It doesn’t mean that we are false or liars; it could just be that we don’t feel comfortable showing what is going on inside of us.

Many times, we don’t like the thoughts inside our heads because we lack the peace that can be given. We do things that we know are wrong.

We grumble because we don’t receive what we think we deserve.

Paul tells us to present our requests to God in prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving because only God can guard our hearts and thoughts with peace.

Paul also gives us guidelines for taking care of our thoughts, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, ESV).

Does everything we think about meet these characteristics? How much time do we spend thinking these types of thoughts? Paul invites us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (verses 4, 5, ESV). He invites us not only to be happy but also to be good and have that goodness recognized everywhere. I have often said or heard others say, “This is very difficult. It is more complicated than just deciding to rejoice or think good thoughts.” Paul knew it was hard but also knew where his strength came from.

Even in prison, he said, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (verse 13, ESV). Nothing is impossible for God.

We just need to trust God and believe His promises.

Every time life gets hard, we can remind ourselves of Paul’s words in Philippians, then pray and give God our battles, ask Him to help us think good, honorable, lovely thoughts, and remember that we can do all things —including walk through hard things— because God will give us strength and walk with us.

Cecilia Nanni