Hearing and living

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Have I ever told you about the time I was whining on the phone to a friend and he listened a while and then said, "Andrée, you got a Bible handy?" "Sure," I said. "Turn to Philippians 4:13," he said. "You got some Wite-Out?" "Yes," I said, a little uncomfortable. "Well, why don't you white it out then; you're not using it anyway."

Ouch. That incident was my first eye-opener that the Word of God must be actually practiced and not just constantly quoted. Jesus said, "Take care then how you hear" (Luke 8:18), meaning that it is a very serious business to keep hearing Scripture and never living it in a daily walk.

Let's say you are faced with a difficult marriage. Do you say, "We are just incompatible," or, "This is not working," or, "We've just drifted apart," or, "She'll never change"? Or do you say, out loud to yourself, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me"? The principalities in dark places hear that and flee (Psalm 8:2).

The very speaking out the Word of God in a public manner invites God to manifest Himself powerfully into our situation. Your declaration of His Word is an entry point for God to be wonderful in your marriage. This isn't manipulation; it's aligning yourself with His will.

Meditation on the verse "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" is fun when you start brainstorming what some of the "all things" are:

"I can be a good wife through Christ who strengthens me." "I can make it through this terrible day through Christ who strengthens me." "I can stop coveting that girl's beauty through Christ who strengthens me." "I can quit smoking through Christ who strengthens me." "I can overcome my shyness through Christ who strengthens me." "I can stop destroying myself with my regrets through Christ who strengthens me." Etc.

The Word of God includes its application. The words "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" long to be activated and fly off the page into your reality when you claim them for yourself and your situation.