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Title:
"I
Can't" or "Yes, I Can?"
Author: JoanY,
JoyPals.com-ReformedWomen, Editor-Publisher
"I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13
We all have buzz words that we
remember from our childhood that serve as reminders of those good things
that our parents taught us or that they used perhaps often to grow us
up. One of those “buzz” words for me is the word “can’t.” I used this
often when I lacked confidence at something I was attempting to do or if
I was lazy and not willing to put forth an effort to get the job done.
Whether it was doing chores, homework, cooking, the arts, or anything
else I would say “I can’t” and mom would always reply with this
question: “Is it you ‘can’t’ or you just don’t want to?” Wow, that put
the responsibility right back where it belonged – on me! The answer to
that most of the time was “I don’t want to” thus revealing a heart of
rebellion and laziness. Mom, of course, persevered with me, encouraged
me (either by conviction or corporately) and thus I became more
determined to “get it done” and thus the result was the ability to do
things I thought impossible and the blessing of satisfaction in
accomplishing something well.
As I thought more on this, I was
re-reminded of how many times we as Christians say, “I can’t”! “I can’t
deal with this,” “I can’t read and understand the Bible,” “I can’t
submit to this husband,” “I can’t discipline and train these children,”
“I can’t obey these parents,” “I can’t deal with those folks at church,”
“I can’t love those that have hurt me,” “I can’t forgive that wrong or
sin,” “I can’t love my enemies,” “I can’t take any more problems or
trials,” and one of the most infamous of all “I can forgive but I can’t
forget.”! The Bible says otherwise, we “can” because we are His
children and have the ability to do all things.
In Jay Adams little book, “Christ
and Your Problems, he says:”
“God’s Word “allows no Christian
to escape by the word “can’t. ‘There is no trial that has overtaken you
but such as is common to men, and God is faithful who will not allow you
to be tried beyond what you are able to endure.’ Corinthians 10:13:
If indeed God never sends trials
heavier than a Christian can bear, the Christian has no right to
protest, “I can’t.” If God has sent it, he can take it! If God has
required it, he can do it! Even though the trials we face are not
unique in their basic designs, the detailed form they take, the
intensity with which they come, and the point in life at which we must
face them, are all tailor-made to each individual child of God, and,
don’t forget, God is the tailor! No trials or temptations hang too long
on us. They fit us precisely.
Given the grace of God, given your
knowledge of God’s Word, given your present state of sanctification,
given the resources of the Holy Spirit within, there is no trial into
which God calls you that is beyond your ability to withstand. Instead
of saying “can’t,” you should say, “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.” [p.24]
Dr. Adams then makes personal
application:
“Christian wife, your home can be
different. Young man, you can help your behavior when you are out alone
with girls. Businessman, you can meet that irate customer tomorrow.
Shut-in, you can overcome the feeling of loneliness and usefulness that
seems to be driving you to despair. Whatever the problem, through Jesus
Christ, you can. So go ahead and prove to yourself and those around you
that God’s promise is true.” [p.26]
So where are you saying “I can’t”
to God and others? Remember God’s promise that you CAN “do all things
through Him who strengthens you” so whether it is getting things done,
trials or sufferings, forgiveness or trust, believe what God says,
practice it and be a “can-doer” of God’s Word; not a doubting
“can’t-doer.” Trust Christ that you can!
* * *
JoyPals.com-ReformedWomen
Editor & Publisher,
“Heavenly Notes 2003”
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