Yes, I Know I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength
Coming to work tonight, (I work night shifts) I was expecting another change in my work schedule for the coming weeks and I couldn’t help but think, “How am I supposed to survive a 12-hour shift every day, 7 days a week?” As two of our own are going from here this week, back to their country for good, next week which starts tomorrow, will mark what I call the toughest and the most hectic schedule for me to date since coming to the Middle East 7 years ago.
As I am writing this blog, I am trying to recount the several occasions where I almost couldn’t feel my legs as a result of excessive walking as part of my job. How did it come to this? Honestly, I couldn’t even remember when was the last time I was on an 8-hour shift for a whole month, and this is mainly due to the shortage of staff not just in our department but in the entire hospital workforce.
Majority of our hospital staffs are working 12-hours shifts, some even 14-16 hours. But who is to blame? The management? The department heads? Or the government for coming up with several rules aimed at sending many foreign workers back to their land so they can give jobs to their own people? This is not the time to start pointing fingers because doing this won’t make the situation better but could even make matters worse.
I couldn’t even wrap my head around what the situation will be like if this goes on even for the next 2 months or so. Thankfully, I’ve been spared from additional paper works in preparation for the renewal of the hospital’s accreditation license to continue its operations. However, that does not mean I have more time for myself.
Prayer Life and Ministry
I must admit there have been times when I thought, “Okay, this is it. I couldn’t do this anymore.” I once thought of quitting just because I got home from work one day fully exhausted. But then God made me realize that making a major decision when you’re tired, upset, disappointed, or even when you’re over-joyed, is not a wise move.
About 3 years ago, I was given the huge responsibility to handle the Education Ministry in my local church, and although it’s an honor and a blessing to be able to serve God this way, I realized that this also comes with a huge accountability. I am fully aware that in order to teach, preach and disciple, one has to be able to handle the truth of God’s word correctly and to present himself approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15).
There were also times when I wasn’t ready to conduct our regular pre-worship Bible Studies because I got too busy with my work but thank God for the lives of some brothers who are always willing to step in to teach. It’s always a blessing to have brethren ever ready to help out no matter how busy they are with their works too. It’s my joy to hear them say, “Anything for the Lord sis, I am willing to do.”
What about my quiet time with God? I feel really guilty for not spending enough time with God, not having ample time to get in the word, to pray, listen to Him and worship Him. As a Christian, I know that it is crucial to spend time with God because communication and fellowship are the backbones of a relationship.
My Strength comes from the Lord
You know what’s keeping me together through all this time? It is knowing that the Lord my God will never leave me nor forsake me. I have the assurance that as a child of the Most High God, I am privileged; that I am blessed and I know that my Lord is always here to hold my hand and to help me get through every hurdle I may have to overcome.
Despite my unfaithfulness and failures, God is always faithful and He has shown me this many times over. In situations where I did not think I can get through it, I was able to conquer because my strength comes from God alone. Despite many of difficulties, I’ve learned to rest in God’s promises and rely on His strength.
One thing I am sure of, it is in my weakness that I can see the fullness of God’s strength. I maybe weak but God is strong. Yes, I know I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). There maybe tougher challenges waiting ahead but I know I can overcome anything because my confidence is in the Lord; I know that God has given me the victory through Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Are you facing tough challenges which you think you are unable to overcome? Cheer up, trust in the Lord and praise Him for He is our strength, helper and shield (Psalm 28:7).
6 Replies to “Yes, I Know I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength”
Hi Alice,
we all get overwhelmed by the amount of things to do on a daily basis. And we often times forget that God wants us to lean on Him and bring Him all our burdens; we try to drag ourselves through the many things. I often question why there is so much work to do everywhere and how come I have to do so much. I work full time in a Christian School and we try to teach the students and parents about God and His love! And yes, God is my strength as well and helps me through all this. Often times we don’t see our job bringing forth the fruit that have been looking for after working so hard, but I can rest assured that God will work His wonders in His own good time.
Great reminder of the fact that God is really there to strenghten us.
Best wishes,
Oscar
Hi Oscar,
Thanks for stopping by.
You’re absolutely right. Often times we get overwhelmed by the amount of works we need to do that we tend to forget God’s promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. A friend and brother in Christ once asked me how I am able to do a lot of extra works despite having a full time job that requires me to work 12 hours almost everyday and the only reason I can think of is because of the grace of God and the strength and wisdom that come from Him alone.
Thank God for always being there to strengthen us because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
If your faith is unwavering and you leave it in your God’s hand, just persevere because through Him all things are possible.
Hi Maurice,
You’re right! Perseverance is something that the saints of God must keep doing because we know that the trials and difficulties we are facing today cannot compare to the joy we will experience in the presence of our Lord for eternity.
Dear Alice,
Indeed, we all grow tired and weary. Nobody is spared from the toils each of one has to bear. Even the youth grows weary and fail (Isaiah 40:30), but we are blessed because we have God with us. He lifts us up with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). God promises to refresh us whenever we are weary (Jeremiah 31:25). Praise Him for His goodness!
Surely, we need to surround ourself with people of the like manners as our faith so we can be blessed and we can bless them too!
You have been touching the lives of many people both near and far through your inspiring articles. I pray that the Lord sustains your health, knowledge and wisdom for His glory!
In Christ, we remain!
Bro. Jess,
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, it means a lot.
Having a personal relationship with God really makes all the difference because no matter how difficult or impossible the situation might be, we are able to face them head on because we’re never alone in this. We know that God is always with us and His grace is sufficient to sustain us; He gives us the strength to get through every challenge, great and small.
Yes, it is very important we surround ourselves with people who encourage and uplift us when we’re down. Thank you for being one of them and thank you for your help and support. Let me say, together let us continue to get the Word of God out there, to enlighten, encourage and inspire others while we wait for the Lord’s return.