For many this verse is trivialized — a personal motto or motivation. It has become a declaration of personal empowerment — winning a football game, losing weight, or gaining a job. Out of context, it is a boost of personal self-confidence. But in context, it has a very specific and different meaning. In context it is a verse about contentment and not about your dreams coming true and goals being met. It is about being content even when circumstances are hard. It’s about what happens in your heart when you lose the football game and lose the job.
This verse has nothing to do with improving your circumstances at all. It has to do with being contentment and hardship in ministry. When ministry became hard for Paul, this was his declaration — I can do all things…
Words of Grace 