Jesus Christ is my strength

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12

Three words give meaning to the verse:

then : Verb pouvoir : Ability to
fortify: Verb fortifier: to make strong, to strengthen (this implies being in an initial state of weakness)
the one: Refers to Jesus Christ, depending on the context

Indeed, when he uttered this sentence, the apostle Paul was in a situation of physical weakness, though strong in spirit. So the perfect understanding of this verse depends on the immediate precedent: I know how to live in humiliation and in abundance. In everything and everywhere, I have learned to be satisfied and to be hungry, to be in abundance and to be in want. (Philippians 4:12) What a principle of Paul's life!

If we all embraced it, no one would be talking about a failed life, or one that's behind, or one that's less happy; everyone would be satisfied with what they are and what they have, and that makes them very happy. We would also better understand the meaning of the wise Solomon's statement: there is a time for everything under the sun... (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15).

Indeed, dissatisfaction is at the root of many of our ills. Is this dissatisfaction due to the absence of the Holy Spirit? Certainly, for it is He who strengthens, who encourages, who is that inner force that makes us capable of anything. Jesus Christ himself said: "Without me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Pasteur Clémentine