Life has a way of testing us. There are seasons when the weight feels unbearable, when challenges stack up one after another, and when we wonder if we have the strength to keep going. In those moments, Philippians 4:13 is often quoted: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But what did Paul really mean when he wrote those words? What was he facing?

The truth is, Paul wasn’t speaking from a place of comfort or ease. He wasn’t writing these words after a big victory or a moment of great success. He was in prison, in chains for preaching the gospel. And this wasn’t the first time he had suffered. Paul had faced hardship after hardship, yet his faith remained unshaken.

Paul’s List of Hardships

Paul himself detailed some of the unimaginable trials he endured in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28:

“Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

This is the man who said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His words weren’t about accomplishing personal goals or achieving success. They were about endurance, perseverance, and unwavering faith in the midst of suffering.

What Paul’s Words Mean for Us Today

Paul’s struggles remind us that faith isn’t about escaping hardship—it’s about standing firm in Christ no matter what comes our way. Just as Paul relied on Jesus for strength, we too must lean on Him when life gets overwhelming.

Strength in Every Season

When we go through hardship, we often ask, “How am I going to get through this?” The answer is found in Christ. Paul had every reason to give up, but he knew that his strength didn’t come from his own abilities—it came from Jesus. That same strength is available to us today.

Here are a few ways we can apply Paul’s message in our daily lives:

• Pray for Strength: When challenges arise, take your burdens to God in prayer.
• Lean on Scripture: Read and meditate on God’s Word to remind yourself of His faithfulness.
• Surround Yourself with Faithful People: The church is meant to be a source of encouragement and support.
• Keep an Eternal Perspective: Hardships are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal.

A Personal Reflection

Today marks 17 years since my mother passed away at just 55 years old. Fifty-five is too young. The pain of knowing that my wife and kids never got to know her cuts deep. She was fun, funny, and full of personality—a light in so many lives. As I approach the point where I will have lived more years without her than with her, that thought alone brings another layer of pain.

In moments like these, I am reminded why I must cling even tighter to the feet of Jesus. Grief is heavy, but His strength is greater. This is also why the fellowship of the church is so important. We need each other. We are better together. When life is hard, when the losses feel unbearable, when we don’t know how to carry the weight—we find strength in Christ and in the family of faith He has given us.

A Faith That Endures

Paul’s life wasn’t easy, but his faith remained strong. He teaches us that even in suffering, God is enough. If Paul could endure prison, beatings, hunger, and persecution, then surely, we can hold on through our own trials, knowing that the same God who strengthened him will strengthen us too.

So whatever you’re facing today, hold onto this truth: You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Not because life is easy, but because God is faithful.

What About You?

Have you ever faced a hardship that tested your faith? How did you find strength in Christ during that time? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how God has carried you through difficult seasons.