ALL Things through Him

I can do all things through Him, this phrase has been coming at me in every direction for weeks now.
One of the first things that come to mind when I hear , "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Phil. 4:13 NKJV) is the beginning of this trial. I was homeless with three kids, working full time, no money for move in costs, no time to find a place and running on fumes. I was still walking with God, but talk about feeling like I had been dropped. What had happened to God providing all my needs? I was emotionally and physically exhausted.

I had my first child out of wedlock at age 18. I came to the Lord, years later married my husband and had two more children. Now I was a single mother of three. I was now worse off then when I got married and it was overwhelming. I would wake everyday and say, "God, I can't do this!" After spending time in His Word, I would muster up the strength and courage to face another day. But I was weary. Everytime I prayed for rest, sickness struck my children, which led to sleepless nights and more exhaustion. I began getting angry everytime someone said that they would pray God would give me rest. It felt like a curse for more fatigue. And I became angry at God.

One night, in my anger, I cried out to God, with a tear-stained face. He answered me ever so gently and sweetly. "If you are asking for rest and are not receiving it, then perhaps child, you are asking for the wrong thing." That was NOT what I wanted to hear, but then I pondered what He had spoken to me. If I'm asking for rest and not getting it, then what was I supposed to ask for?!?! The answer was STRENGTH.

I began asking God, each morning, for the strength I needed for the day. What a difference the right prayer can make!!! He wasn't answering my prayers for rest, because He was trying to teach me something different...He was trying to strengthen me. And when I began asking for the right thing, suddenly I had just enough strength to get through the day. YES, I went to bed wiped out every night, but I had just enough strength to get through each day.

I remember the day that I cried, "GOD, I can't do this!" after beginning to pray for His strength. This time He answered and said, "But, look, you have been." What seemed so daunting, was in fact, my daily reality. A reality I was living out...in HIS strength.

Thank You, Lord, that you never leave us. Thank You for Your provision and Your patience. Thank You for Your persistance in teaching us to be more like You. Thank You that in You we CAN do all things.