I have some great news for you. You are unstoppable when God is with you. I have some even better news for you, God wants to always be with you. I think that’s amazing! We serve a God who loves us enough to make us unstoppable. Unfortunately in our sin, and in our limited understanding, we often miss what it means to be unstoppable.

One of the more famous passages in the bible is Philippians 4:13, New King James Version. It says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sounds pretty good, right? We all have goals and dreams, things we desperately want to achieve. Maybe it’s a bigger paycheck, maybe it’s a better job. Maybe we want to have a “better” body, or become better in a skill. We all dream of success, and this verse is great news for that. Or is it? Don’t get me wrong, I do believe God enables us to achieve great things, but I wonder how often our idea of great things matches his.

If we look at another bible translation, the New International Version, that verse reads as “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Notice the subtle difference there. Instead of “all things”, it’s become “all this”. But what is “this”? If we look at the context of this verse, we’ll see the Apostle Paul was writing to the church in Philipi, and talking about the things he experienced. If we back it up a couple verses, we find this.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

– Philippians 4:10-13

I know in my life, I’ve often fallen into the trap of believing that being unstoppable through God means that if I just pray enough and attend church, that God will enable me to achieve my selfish goals. I would bet I’m not alone in that. I look for God to make me content through my circumstances. If we look closely at what Paul is saying here, he mentions that he is content despite his circumstances, not because of them.

A woman in my church by the name of Sarah told me a wonderful example of this in her life, and gave me permission to share it with all of you. She said that for much of her life she checked the normal Christian boxes. She went to church, she joined Christian community groups, she gave, etc. But her heart wasn’t truly content with God, she still focused on what she could gain and receive. But then something happened which led to her spending 10 years in prison. During this time she had very little possessions, and very little freedom. Yet she describes it as the time in her life she felt most content. It wasn’t about her circumstances, but her reliance on God.

Oftentimes we find it easier to live in contentment when we’re in need, than when we have plenty. Think of how many wealthy people in the world spend their time trying to make more money. They want a bigger house, a nicer car, and a larger bank account. If contentment comes from our circumstances, then why are people with the most power, wealth, and influence not satisfied? But when I look at the people I know who are struggling, who don’t always know where their next paycheck is coming from, who have to rely on outside help just to get by, there I often see greater contentment. I see people who are quick to give to others. I see people who are smiling at the sun and rejoicing every day they’re alive. Not everyone in need is this way, but those who have learned where contentment comes from are.

Let’s go back to Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I think a good way to look at this passage, and the larger context around it, is to say “Circumstances cannot change or stop my God, but God can (if he chooses to) change or stop my circumstances.” Being unstoppable in God doesn’t mean that we have the power to make our circumstances what we want. It means that no circumstances can get in the way of what God calls us to do.

Another way to look at it might be this. If we are in need, we ask God to enable us to escape being in need. The bible teaches us that what God does is not enable us to escape, but enable us to endure. When we find contentment in our times of need, we recognize that God is in control.

Does this mean it’s bad to have plenty, or to live in comfort? Not necessarily, as long as our hearts are turned toward God. I think an important point to remember here is that no matter how much we have, we are still in need. We need forgiveness, we need guidance, we need wisdom, we need love. There is no person on this Earth who has so much that they are not in need of these things. And there is no person on the Earth that is without those things, because God freely offers them to all. All we have to do is accept them.

You are in need, I am in need, and we can be content in that. When we learn to embrace God’s word and be content in our circumstances, that’s when we truly become unstoppable.

I’d encourage you to check out the song “Unstoppable” by Tobymac. I know the style of music won’t be for everyone, but the meaning behind the lyrics is quite powerful.

Have a blessed day!