Like many words in the English language, stretching can be taken many ways. It can be a good thing – stretching before a workout can prevent injury. It can be a bad thing – stretching the truth is synonymous with lying. Sometimes, it can start as a good thing and then go too far – tearing pizza dough or a muscle. When handling Scripture, it’s important to use it properly – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling [applying] the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. I find that many Christians (myself included, possibly even in this blog) will take a verse or two and then apply it to a situation incorrectly to make a point or claim a promise that isn’t meant for us. This series is to take a look at more common Scriptures that are taken out of context and/or stretched beyond their intended meaning.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Just about every Tuesday, I wear a shirt in honor of my Mom who had brain cancer. The back of the shirt contains the verse above. Theretofore, people may think, if she can really do all things through Christ, then she survived and is now physically healthy. Right? When explaining that her type of cancer has a 100% fatality rate and she passed away, it’s easy to jump to conclusions that the Bible must be wrong. Either Christ isn’t more powerful than cancer or that we can’t really do ALL things as it clearly says we can. With that thought in mind, I can’t fly or hold my breath for an hour or turn invisible and it’s not because of a lack of faith in God. So why is this verse so obviously contradicting reality?

Let’s look at two things: the Context and the Content. Context: Paul is writing to Philippi from Roman house arrest. By now, he has been a Christian for about 30 years and has done the majority of his missionary travels and ‘adventures’ (preaching, prison, stoning, riots, trials, shipwreck, etc.). He is closing his letter to the church in Philippi with some encouragement and direction (Philippians 4:2-9). He then thanks them for their support of his missionary journeys, for they helped him financially and through prayer and encouragement. He mentions that through it all, he has learned to be content, whether he is lacking or has excess, he can go through it all with the the strength he receives in Christ. Then he thanks them some more for supporting him and by doing so creating spiritual fruit around their world (great missionary support examples).

Content: Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you now have the ability or strength to do whatever you want. In many Scriptures it might seem that if you ask for it, God will give it, no questions asked. However, James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Human nature is selfish and wants what it wants, when it wants it. As Christians, we personally know the source of all good things (James 1:17), so surely we’ll get what we want when we ask right? The Bible says that Christians are to first align themselves with the will of God (“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33). When we were taught how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13), it’s about God’s will being done, not ours. When we pray and it aligns with God’s will, anything truly is possible. Regardless of that truth, that’s still stretching the intent of this verse. It’s ultimately about being content with what God provided and allowed in your life, for better or seemingly worse. We are daily given the strength we need to face it and whatever comes with it as we rely on Him and his strength.

When Mom had terminal cancer, it wasn’t, “I have the power to beat this illness.” It was, Christ has given the strength to have joy, peace, love and the ability to be content, knowing that He is in control of yesterday, today and tomorrow. For me personally, I don’t like that I no longer have the ability to talk to my Mom, but I am content in knowing that God has already done and will continue to do amazing things through it all. I also know I will see her again one day. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah and Amen!