Many years ago, I ran my first and only marathon. As a participant in a year-long research protocol for science, I received a full year of professionally supervised training and nutritional guidance, while cardiologists and physiologists added to the body of knowledge on exercise and environmental medicine. It was an amazing and grueling 12 months. But I finished.

During the marathon in Houston, many runners pinned slogans, inspirational statements and even scriptures onto the backs of their clothing. One of the more common scriptures was Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

I appreciated seeing that scriptural reminder as I pushed onward for hours. I had relied on God’s presence during my year of training and on that day, I had no doubt God enabled me to mentally and emotionally continue the race, not just physically complete it.

While the verse from Paul’s writings certainly can speak to physical strength, I know it has a broader application for my life. When we read the preceding verse, Paul speaks about contentment in his circumstances as the strength he draws from God. He is imprisoned when he wrote to the church at Philippi. They had supported Paul materially and he was grateful.

Paul was thanking his friends and assured them he was not seeking more from them. Quite the opposite. Paul was sharing a page from his spiritual playbook – to be satisfied whether he was in need or had plenty; whether he was hungry or well fed.

We might extend that to say whether you are experiencing other’s favor in your life or feeling isolated. Whether you own a home or rent an apartment. Paul says in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Certainly, we have all experienced seasons of plenty, and seasons of trial. But the rest comes from knowing we serve a God who promises to give us strength in the midst of all circumstances.

When we look outside of ourselves, we can keep our eyes open for opportunities to bless others. And when our own surroundings get tough, do we grumble and then praise God again when life is grand? Paul reminds us to rejoice in the Lord always and look to God for our satisfaction and our strength.

From where do you draw your strength?

Written by Linda Goelzer, associate director of public relations, Buckner International