Not everything you think you see is like you think it is….

Take a look at the picture below…

Are the lines in the image diagonal or straight?

The answer:

They look like they are all crooked, but they are straight! In other words… it’s an optical illusion. What you thought you saw turned out to be completely different… oops.

We also used that same example in the Bible study that we were allowed to give to some youth today. Because now that you understand that your eyes are playing tricks on you, let’s look at the following Bible verse:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Familiar verse, right? If you walk around a church, you have certainly heard that verse. Sounds good right? Initially, we can read and explain that as:

I will grow up to be very rich and successful, and since I am a Christian, that will certainly happen because Christ gives me the power to be successful! With Christ, I can do anything! That’s what that verse says, and I believe it!

But suppose that is your explanation… and you do not become rich and successful. Then comes a problem. Because what is that about? Isn’t the Bible verse correct? So then it must be up to you. Your faith in Christ was certainly not strong enough! You naughty! Phew! (or worse..) Oops…. and there goes your faith down the drain…

Back to the “optical illusion”. Because let’s look at not that one verse, but what it says before those verses. Then we also know what the “all this” is in that verse… because is that generic “all” everything…. Or is the “all this” more specific? Here we go:

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:10-13

Wait a minute, now it’s going to be different. This is Paul, who was in prison for his faith, who has been hungry, who was persecuted, and who then says at the end of that explanation that he was able to be content whatever the circumstances because Christ gave him the strength. It literally says this:

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances

Despite hunger, lack of many things, humiliations and more, Paul can say, through the power of Christ, that he is content with what he has. Paul is not complaining, on the contrary! He gives honor and glory to God for everything, despite the sometimes very unpleasant circumstances. Wow!

So no, it does not say: “I can do anything, if my faith is strong enough”, it says: “I am satisfied with what I have and God gives me the strength to be satisfied with it.”

Because let’s be honest… humanly speaking… we cannot be satisfied with hunger, setbacks, humiliation. But with God’s help, we can.

That’s the explanation. Don’t fall for an “optical illusion”, don’t trust your “own thinking”, but study, research, and trust God. Whatever happens. Only then can you be satisfied with everything that happens around you.