I can’t do ALL Things – Philippians 4:13

If you are a Christian, and even if you aren’t, you have probably heard the verse that I am using for my inspiration today.

Philippians 4:13. Yes, most Christians don’t even need to flip to their bible to know what the verse says.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

This verse used to really bother me. You see, I used to be a perfectionist. That does not mean that I was perfect. It meant that if I didn’t do something perfect, then I would not do it at all. That held me back from doing a lot of things. Some of my friends and family may find that a little surprising (or maybe not).

I recently began this writing journey, which goes completely against my perfectionism, especially when writing for this 31 day challenge. I have had to fight against my tendency to be a perfectionist and, as Nike says in their advertisements or as Shia LaBeouf has shouted at most of the world Just Do It.

How does this relate to my previous aversion to this verse?

If you don’t know the rest of the story about what Paul was going through when he wrote this verse and take it at face value, it is a rather intimidating verse. “I can do ALL…”

For a perfectionist, that meant that I could do it All. All of it. I could be mom, wife, employee, daughter, teacher, cook, house cleaner, cheerleader, [fill in whatever other description you want here]. I tended to skip past the last part of the “through him who gives me strength.”

In my brain, it meant that IF I believed in Christ, he would give me the strength that I needed to do it ALL. Now do you see my aversion? As a perfectionist I had to do it ALL because I believed in Christ. This terrified me.

It was about a year ago that I was listening to the radio (I wish I could remember what exactly was said, or what song was playing) that I FINALLY understood.

Paul was not trying to tell me that I can do it ALL. Let’s back up a bit and look at Philippians 4:12.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Content. That is not a word that sits well with a perfectionist. How does a perfectionist find contentment? You have to let go. You read and believe the second half of the verse.

My days of being a perfectionist have passed me by. I am not perfect and my life is far from perfect.

It is only when I trust in the second half of the verse that I can find true contentment.

So now, when I see or hear Philippians 4:13 I will have my own way of thinking about it:

Through HIM who gives me strength, I can do all this.