“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬, ‭NKJV‬‬).

In America many have heard this scripture and often associate it with media’s capture of a person’s tribute during a moment or culmination of success. But what if doing things through Christ was the only way strength could exist? And what if strength in Christ actually wasn’t an absolute correlation to publicly recognized success? What if Philippians 4:13 wasn’t just a phrase or a known scripture but a belief, a daily discipline, the way of operating? If this scripture is true and in Christ is where strength is found, then what’s also true is genuine strength cannot be found outside of Him.

This is where the strength conversation starts to get real. The belief that we live by our own strength is a stubborn one. Because it reinforces itself and partners with self-sufficiency, performance, self-protection, self-righteousness, pride, and deceit. I say this based on personal experience. I’ve known this entanglement and I’ve known this dishonest way of living.

▪️I once thought my source of strength was the achievement of scoring 20 points in a basketball game, now I know everyone moves on to the next game.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was protecting myself from others, now I know self-protection perpetuates alienation.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was performing excellently in school, now I know getting an “A” wasn’t worth cheating.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was pretending I was okay by smiling, now I know pretending doesn’t produce relationship.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was the approval of those in leadership, now I know those in leadership don’t provide my identity.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was receiving positive attention from males, now I know the approval of others doesn’t set my worth.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was being in solitude, now I know isolation can work against me.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was keeping record of wrongs in relationships, now I know forgiveness enables healing.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was getting seven hours of sleep at night, now I know sleep can’t accomplish rest.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was maintaining a flat stomach, now I know I’m beautiful regardless of my waist size.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was food, now I know food’s purpose is to serve my health and be enjoyed.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was my athletic ability, now I know it’s not, but…I still got it!
▪️I once thought my source of strength was my looks, now I know outer beauty is fleeting.
▪️I once thought my source of strength was myself, now I know strength comes from God.

People may say their “strength ran out”, but I think we receive an invitation out. Thankfully, my mind that thought my strength was enough, changed.

My previous perspective on strength stifled my growth and corrupted my character. The strength I was using and people were acknowledging was a façade; a self-centered, self-measured, and self-limiting ceiling. That type of operating was actually frail and driving me further away from health, fulfillment, and being known.

I once saw myself as my own source of strength. Now I know a limitless strength given by God, alone. He is my provider. He is my defender. He is my fulfillment. He is my constant.