Read

Philippians 4:13 (NLT) “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Think

Philippians 4:13 is one of the most quoted—and most misunderstood—verses in the Bible. It’s painted on locker room walls, printed on graduation cards, and shouted before big moments like a spiritual battle cry. But Paul didn’t write it from a place of hype. He wrote it from a prison cell.

This verse isn’t about winning; it’s about withstanding. It’s not a motivational quote—it’s a survival story. Paul had known hunger and heartache, isolation and loss. And still, he wrote: “I can do all things through Christ.” Not because he felt strong, but because he had found strength in Someone greater. One devotional says it best: “God doesn’t give us strength to show off—he gives us strength to stand up when everything else falls apart.”

We live in a world that pushes self-reliance. And yet, over 60% of young adults report feeling anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed. We’re told to dig deep—but what if we’re digging in empty soil?

Here’s the truth: God can when you can’t. He can meet you in the hospital waiting room. He can carry you through the silent battles no one else sees. He can walk with you through addiction, heartbreak, disappointment—and not leave you the same.

“All things” means every circumstance. Not just the mountaintops, but the valleys too. So if you feel like you’ve got nothing left, that might be the best place to start. Because when your strength ends, his begins. Yes, God can. And through him, you can too.

Apply

Start a "God Can" list. Each day, write one way God came through—big or small. Over time, you’ll see a pattern of his strength in your story.

Pray

God, I’m tired of pretending to be strong on my own. I need your strength to carry what feels too heavy for me. Remind me that through you, I can keep going—because you are enough, even when I’m not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.