Never Say Never

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13 NIV 

In my youth, I was quick to say what I would never do. However, life is a great educator. Thankfully, Philippians 4:13 gives us the reassurance that we can do hard things. I’ve learned this firsthand. I am now less inclined to declare what I will never do. It is a quick way to be humbled. I’ve had poor results making assumptions about my life. Thankfully, God’s power resides in us, and we can do everything that He has purposed for our lives. 

There was a period in my life when I was mentally and physically spent. My husband and I were raising two sons, one of whom has autism. I was also working at a job that required twelve hours of standing without a break and often without a meal. It was extremely stressful, and I wasn’t exactly young. I had long commutes, and my schedule was haphazard at best. However, it was necessary. Still, there were times I thought I would never make it. But God.

The Lord continuously showed up and intervened on my behalf. The position was physically demanding. Yet, God empowered me with the stamina to survive my shifts. He also provided talented and empathetic coworkers. The ladies who scheduled my assignments kept me as close to home as possible. My manager eventually secured a permanent position for me ten minutes from my house. It wasn’t one singular thing that allowed me to endure that job. But God’s grace showed up in so many circumstances. 

That period allowed me to minister to my patients and become encouraged by their testimonies. I met genuine people who taught me a lot. I was blessed with opportunities to mentor some of my employees and encourage them to finish college and graduate school.

When I asked God why I was there, I received an answer I didn’t expect. I wasn’t there to merely fill prescriptions—but to nurture people. That revelation allowed me to endure that job with a better attitude, even as I longed for something else.  

I was at my breaking point when God removed me from that position. Though I left on good terms, my time there was done. I worked in a job I swore I’d never do again for nearly a decade. 

God allows us to endure hard things for a purpose. They often refine us just as fire refines gold. If these times were not necessary, our Lord wouldn’t empower us to overcome obstacles and push through adversity.

The things we assume we can’t do are often contrary to God’s will for our lives. That’s why it’s important to pray our way through trials. God can do all things.  

And we can too, through Him who gives us strength. 

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Prayer: Dear Lord, you never promised us this life was going to be easy. However, you did promise us that you would never leave us or forsake us. Please help me to trust you through the challenges and difficulties. Help me to know that my journey may be connected to blessing others. Amen.

Your turn: Have you ever wondered why God allowed or is currently allowing you to face challenges? How can you shift your perspective? Are there others you could be helping despite your situation?