A View on Resources

by Suzanne 06/10/13

In 1997, when my youngest daughter was several months old, I received a scholarship to a woman's retreat through the church I attended at the time. The theme was based on Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV). I bought the t-shirt with the logo and the verse imprinted on it and wore it every chance I got. Philippians 4:13 became my go-to bible verse and as a newly single mom, I prayed this often.

Over time, I drifted in and out of church, and further away from God, but I always remembered that verse. I had stopped praying it, but when things were stressful, I still quoted it. And my life without God was very stressful. Depending on myself for the source of my strength didn't always work out, but I was determined to do it all and do it all myself. Over time, my new favorite quote became, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” Christ as the source of my strength had been pushed out of the picture.

Then in 2010, everything changed when I was fired from my job as a Resource Coordinator. Immediately, Philippians 4:13 came into my mind. I was in shock and physically shaking, but within minutes of hearing the news, I saw God's hand in the situation. It was one of those moments in life when everything becomes crystal clear and I knew without a doubt that although things would be drastically changed, my family would be okay. But I can also remember thinking, “I know where to find the resources to get us through.”

In the days and weeks following my firing, I re-evaluated my belief system and questioned where God fit into my life. I also revisited Philippians 4:13, but this time I read it in connection with the verse before it and read it in several different translations. Philippians 4:12-13 reads, “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” (NIV). I came to realize that with these two verses, God frees me from my dependence on things and my own clumsy attempts to meet my needs. These two verses pointed me to the only dependable resource from which every other resource flows. It was the eye-opening realization that all of the vast resources of this world could not help me unless I depended on Jesus Christ. 

So what does my story have to do with a website about finding practical solutions for real-life issues that people face on an everyday basis? That's for you to decide. It is my hope that when you visit this website, you will find a resource for what is needed at this time in your life. It is my larger desire that you will find just a little bit more than that. That you learn the secret of contentment on your journey to wherever God is leading you.

"Finding Solutions For Your Everyday Needs"