Just wanted to take a quick side track from the heavier issue of suffering and briefly share something I came across recently.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
This is a Bible verse that is frequently quoted by Christians that implies one can summon a certain type of "strength"; when in reality it may have a different meaning altogether then what some might think.
This verse could easily bring to mind the idea of a believer who is capable of tackling any project, take charge of a situation, or flex the physical or spiritual muscles on their way to accomplishing what they believe to be God's plan. To be honest this sounds fantastic. To have this spiritual "strength" to summon when needed could definitely have an impact. That may very well be the case at times, but the direct Greek translation this time, is to withstand something. So the verse would then be read like this, "I can withstand all things through him who strengthens me."
And when you read the entire section of chapter 4 of Philippians this makes much more sense really.
Now, this meaning would shift its emphasis from the idea of a Christian conquering and overcoming something by the power of God, to that of a supernatural help to endure. To suffer with strength.
A definition of it goes like this:
a : to stand up against : oppose with firm determination;especially : to resist successfully b : to be proof against : resist the effect of <withstand the impact of a landing — Current Biography> archaic : to stop or obstruct the course of
I personally find this quite interesting, because so often I have the tendency to think that I can accomplish and achieve whatever I think to be right, as long as I do it in God's name. When in reality, it's only because of God that I can accomplish anything righteous or worthwhile. And quite often, the strength that comes from God is best shown not in what we can necessarily do for Him, but in what and how we endure and withstand trials for His name sake.
