*This is a post from my "The Salt Shaker" blog posted on February 2, 2015. Since then, the family member thanked us, and we're reconciled.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
I've used this verse in situations where I needed to accomplish something, usually that something was a natural experience that needed a natural solution. I must testify that because of reciting the verse and claiming victory over the natural problem, I was able to build more faith and do what needed to be done. This is an excellent verse to know when you're being overrun with situation after situation.
Recently, this week, as a matter of fact, I had to call this verse up on something the complete opposite of a natural need. I had to recite it because I was having a problem with being able to apply this verse to a long-running situation:
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. – Luke 6:28 (KJV)
The situation involves a family member wherein my wife and I are taking on a responsibility that has been neglected. We're doing it because we first know it's what God wants us to do. Second. To be used by the Lord to give hope in a hopeless situation. Taking on the responsibility isn't what's hard. It's being lied to and lied to by the same people we're trying to help.
We all have areas where the Lord is cutting away from or dealing with us. This happens to be mine. So far, so good, and I am claiming victory over it. The normal reaction for people who don't know the Lord and haven't accepted Him as their Savior is to shut down, give someone a big chunk of their mind, and walk away from the unappreciative spirit. But Jesus wants us to hang in there and do what needs to be done so one day, that person will recognize the love he/she saw and glorify God.
So Philippians 4:13 has been my verse to lean on because the only way I can bless the ones cursing me and pray for the ones who despitefully use me is through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Father, I pray for the divine strength to enable me and others to look past whatever obstacles we face and know, through faith, we can be victorious. With your help, we can confidently say' "I can do this!"
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