For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

Jesus Christ provides the strength to endure hard things.

We don’t have to look any further than the cross, death, and resurrection of Jesus to recognize that no one has endured more.

Jesus endured all sin for everyone. I am overwhelmed by my own sin. The thought of carrying the sin of the world is staggering to consider. It is completely beyond you and me.

He endured a rugged form of physical death. The torture prior to the cross, the cross itself, the piercing, the suffocating, cartilage tearing, and joints coming apart drops me to my knees that the son of God had the strength to do this in obedience to Father God for the benefit of you and me.

Paul is the writer of this verse. He wrote it while in prison. The verse is for more than a motivational verse for big challenges or opportunities. It is written out of the context of having endured much and finding God’s strength to be the provision to endure.

We are in a time where endurance is needed. We need to reflect the tone and countenance of Paul. Our heads are up, eyes bright, and we walk into each day with a sense of hope and purpose as we endure. This may be hard to do in our own strength, and that is precisely Paul’s point.

Encouragement: In times of endurance, ask for the provision of Christ’s amazing strength. Experience the truth that Paul came to know: I can endure…. Through Christ…. who gives me strength.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, when we are honest about it, we don’t like to go through things that require endurance. On the other side of it, we also find ourselves saying “I don’t want to go through that again, but what God taught me has been life changing and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” Thank you for providing the strength to endure in hard times. In your amazing name we pray, Amen.

-Ed McDowell, Executive Director
WBC Ministries