I am not complaining about having too little. I have learnt to be satisfied with whatever I have. I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. Christ gives me the strength to face anything. Philippians 4:11-13 CEVUK
Life is filled with ups and downs—sad days and happy days, good days and bad days. Job said, “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!” (Job 14:1). Life is inevitably bittersweet. No matter how careful we try to be, we will certainly face troubles and discomforting situations. We will experience the paradox of life: lack and abundance.
Most of a person's life is spent in pursuit of abundance and the avoidance of lack. We seek education in hopes of securing a position that will provide for our current needs and our future needs when we can no longer work due to age or illness. We do all we can to combat lack—through pension schemes, monthly salaries, working multiple jobs, and more! The fear of lack is real.
I have experienced times when I lacked the capacity to provide for something I needed and times when I had surplus that spilled over to others. The latter is certainly more preferable, but both situations serve as teachers and shapers.
In today’s passage, Paul shares his own experiences of lack and abundance. He acknowledges that he has learned to live in both situations. Learning signifies that it took time; it was a process, and he likely made mistakes along the way toward accepting this reality. Yet in the end, he states that in both conditions he has learned to be content. This conclusion was not reached through his human prowess or wisdom; it was through Christ.
Christ gives us strength to face anything! I have been in want and faced opportunities to falter during these times, but I have always found a power beyond human understanding—a strength that enables me to keep moving forward regardless of my circumstances. In seasons of lack, fear and anxiety can feel overwhelming. Your ability to overcome and remain steadfast will depend on your tenacity, which is supplied by Christ. Likewise, in times of abundance, we encounter many temptations; our ability to stand firm and avoid making shipwreck of our lives is possible through the strength Christ provides.
When we look to Him for help—letting go of our own intellect—we will be able to face everything and anything. We will truly become heroes of faith!
I confess that I Christ gives me the strength to face anything. Therefore I am able to stand in times of lack and abundance.
