It’s a well known phrase: ‘“the person who says “I can” and the person who says “I can’t” are both right”’. To live the plan you have for 2014, to begin pursuing your S.M.A.R.T. goals, you have to believe you can. In Phil 4:13 Paul the apostle said: “For I can do anything with the help of Christ who gives me strength.” (NLT) Stop! Read that verse again slowly – read it out loud. Now ask yourself: “Do I really believe that verse?”
The Source Of Your Strength
Do you? This verse is not talking about pumping yourself up with positive thinking; pull yourself up by the bootstraps endurance, giving it more effort. It’s not like the little train who kept repeating to himself “I think I can…I think I can…” It’s not about psyching yourself up.
It is all about “the strength of Christ” working in and through you. It is about His supernatural power dwelling in you as you put your faith in Him, through His Spirit. That is how you live as the masterpiece God created you to be. Your part is to choose, it’s a Life Palette decision – to put your faith in Christ and His strength, His supernatural power, to work in you.
You’ve probably read many great books that encourage you to simply get rid of your bad habit – get along with others – have some self discipline – and they are right. All of those things would make your life better. However, unless you have the power to do those things you will still fall short of your desired result. That is why Paul says “with the help of Christ who gives me strength.”
Develop An “I Can” Belief
You have a 2014 plan. (If you still need help with developing this, read Life Palette blog from Monday – Wednesday of this week.) Now you need to make sure you have an “I can” belief. An “I can” belief that is not based on your own power rather the power of Christ in you. With His power and His strength “you can” do all things.
Ask God to give you the strength you need to live life as the masterpiece He created you to be. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to live out your plan in 2014. He wants to give you His strength and power to live as a masterpiece. The Bible is full of stories of people just like you who had a plan – God’s plan for their lives – that He empowered with His supernatural strength.
Next Steps:
Believe you can! “For I can do anything with the help of Christ who gives me strength.” As you think and pray about your 2014 plan speak this verse as a prayer over it. When you are feeling discouraged about fulfilling your dreams and plans, speak Phil 4:13 out loud as a prayer of faith. Make it personal.
