Strengthened For All Things

By Keona Tann

Restoration is hard. Waiting is difficult. I get excited about being able to do stuff and then overdo it and therefore ‘crash’. Today is one of those days. I’m too tired to do much and a daytime sleep is a must not a luxury.

I listened to John Zeckendorf talk about his journey to become the first Tasmanian to climb Mt Everest. It was inspiring! He said that at one point he couldn't go on so he said to himself at each step: "through Christ I can do all things".

“For I can do everything through Christ who give me strength.” Philippians 4:13 New Living Translation

I need that reminder so much today! I've got worship music playing and as "It Is Well" plays I’m reminded to 'let it go and trust in Him!'. I'm reminded again that God has got this!

As I’m forced to bed, for a sleep, I struggle with Philippians 4:13. If I’m promised to be able to do all things, then why can’t I? I have a sleep and wake up with those thoughts still running through my head. I need to investigate this some more so I research and find 2 different bible versions to compare:

"I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I'm trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ's explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty." Philippians 4:12-13 The Passion Translation

“I can do all things (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthen and empowers me (to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace).”

Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible

The Amplified version clarifies it for me – I can do ALL the things God calls me to do. My extreme nature is to try and do ALL THINGS – that is I race ahead and try to achieve my to do list and not necessarily God’s to do list! I really need to be careful about this. It is so easy to get distracted from what I’m meant to be doing and try to achieve something that looks good but isn’t the right thing for me to do right now.

I’m reminded that I am able to do what is set before me because of Jesus’s strength within. Although it feels like defeat, sleeping during the day is still what my body needs. This is simply part of the recovery process. I need my strength to return and it is and will grow as I listen to God as well as my body’s needs. 

My prayer is this:

I ask You, Lord God, to give me complete knowledge of Your will and to give me spiritual wisdom, insight, revelation and understanding. Then I will be empowered to live in such a way that it always honours and pleases You Lord. As I live a life of virtue and honour this will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, I will grow as I learn to know God better and better. I also pray that I will be strengthened for all things by Your glorious power, so that I will have all the endurance and patience I need. May I be filled with joy, awe and wonder - always thanking the Father. For He has enabled me to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, those who live in the light. For God has rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and transferred me into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Jesus, who purchased my freedom and forgave my sins. inspired by Colossians 1:9-14.

You may find me sleeping, but don’t worry for very soon I will be strengthened for all things and even better I will have the wisdom to know what I’m meant to be doing!

I pray that you’re encouraged to seek God’s wisdom and strength for your own challenges.

Many blessings

Keona

For most of my life I struggled with sickness. The 2 dominant afflictions were endometriosis (for 28 years) and adrenal fatigue (I was severely debilitated for 28 months and the recovery has been a journey of 11 months so far).
In September 2016 God declared healing over my life. This set me on a path of restoration and transformation.
My passion for writing was reignighted and I wrote the following mission statement:
I desire to impact the world through the words I share. I long to enrich, empower and encourage others whilst delivering my stories with empathy and understanding.
“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬
I've started a weekly blog which you can find at: https://keonajtann.wordpress.com/
I'm currently working on my testimony as well as my journey with endometriosis and adrenal fatigue. I hope that I'll launch my first book soon. Many blessings, Keona