You're Not Meant To Do It All Alone

In this episode Sydney and Ashley welcome listeners to the Amen and Again podcast and discuss the exhaustion of believing “I should be able to handle this” and trying to live by one’s own strength. Centering on Philippians 4:11–13, they explain Paul’s context of learning contentment while imprisoned and emphasize that “I can do all things through Christ” refers to God-given strength to endure, not self-powered achievement. They encourage doing a self-audit to identify discontent, shifting from control and independence to surrender and dependence on the Lord in both big and small moments. Sydney shares that skipping morning prayer makes her most vulnerable to self-reliance, and they note God’s gentle invitations to reconnect throughout the day. They close with practical examples, a prayer for guidance and surrender, and mention a free seven-day devotional via Instagram or show notes.

https://beacons.ai/amenandagainpod

Transcript

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If I have one anthem I'm not proud of, it's I should be able to handle this. But deep down, it leaves me exhausted. I completely understand. Like you're trying to be strong, but it's just not quite working. Hey friend, and welcome to the Amen and Again podcast. We're your host. I'm Ashley, and this is Sydnee and we are so glad you're here. Each week we meet back here to remind ourselves that God's promises are yes and amen. And man, oh man, do we need to hear it again? So we're honored that you joined us today because it means maybe we aren't alone in needing the reminders. Since we've established that we're in it together, hit subscribe, like, save the episode, or whatever your platform will allow, so you can walk through life alongside us each week. All right, Ashley, let's jump into today's episode titled You're Not Meant to Do It All. So Sydney, you mentioned that you've got an anthem. Ugh, yes. I'm the queen of the shoulds. I should be able to do it all. I should be able to handle it. I should be able to keep up. I should be fine. You know, I think about all of my should statements and trying to keep up everything, and ultimately it comes back to me being overwhelmed. I'm juggling responsibilities and fighting burnout because at the end of the day, if I'm honest, it is directly related to me just trying to live by my own strength. Mm. That is so good, but you know in the word it does mention that God would like for us to lean into him. Yeah, absolutely. Let's go to our text today. We're gonna be reading, um, the iconic Philippians 4:13, but with a little bit of context involved. So Philippians 4:11- 13 is the text for this episode. And it reads, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be a based and I know how to abound. Everywhere in, in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So this text is written by Paul, and it's believed that he wrote this text while he was imprisoned, Ashley. That is crazy. Just to hear what he's writing about being content in prison. I've never been, but I can only imagine that it is a bleak circumstance. There's not a lot of joy in such a place. your liberties are taken, yet he's content. Yeah. You know, it actually is pretty humbling to be reminded and to understand the context because I look at my situations and I'm going, "Wa, wa, wa, I've got this, I've got that. I'm overwhelmed." And here's Paul going, "You know, no matter what's going on, God is good. I can do it. Let's go. And I'm like, "I can't do it. I'm tired. I gotta get up early again and start all over." It's just really, um, humbling to be like, "Okay, Sydnee, get a grip. You can do all things. You need to learn how to go through the hi- hard seasons to go through the highs and the lows kind of thing." Yeah. Especially when it comes to, like, applying this text to when you have a lot or when you have a little. I can only speak for myself, but I know sometimes when I have nothing to do or nothing in my hand, I absolutely can get a little stir crazy. Yeah. But the Lord can come in and really do a work and calm me. Yep. So I really like how Paul, just going back to that text, he says a couple verses before, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." He says a couple of verses before, that he's learned to be content. So I wonder if at times we are really stirred and upset with our circumstances because we haven't actually done a self-audit in a while and we really don't know why we're so angsty, why we're so overwhelmed, why we're so discontented with our situations. And I think to get to the place of receiving God's strength, we kind of need to do some reflection first, um, and then we receive the kind of strength that God intends for us to have. I love the idea of an audit, because if we're being honest, I feel like there's a, there is a little bit of a check that needs to happen in order for us to really know if we're really surrendering in moments where we need to, versus wonder womaning it up, I guess, so to speak. You know, it's funny, I want, uh, you to read that Greek, like the actual strengthens word in a minute, because when we read this text and we don't take Philippians 4:13 into consideration of what is being said as a whole, right? If we pluck it out and we say, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I, like, picture in the movie The Incredibles when the dad, Mr. Incredible, goes outside and just lifts his car up and, I'm like, "That's not what we're talking about. That's not the strength we're talking about where I can just set a goal in my own mind and be like, Yep, God will help me do anything. Um, well, he can absolutely help you do anything that he chooses, but that's not what we're really talking about. What does the word strengthen mean in this specific circumstance? Yeah, great question. So at base, their Greek meaning falls under, uh, or it calls strengthen to be strong, endure with strength, to receive strength or be strengthened, and not the self-strength, but to your point, the God-given strength. Yeah, so we're gonna receive strength and be strengthened, but I really like that, that part of the definition where it says endure with strength. So no matter what you're going through, you can endure, you will make it. Don't lose hope. God will strengthen you. Amen. So let's work a little bit around a mind shift, if you will. it is easy for us to believe that we have to be strong enough to handle everything on our own, but that's a lie. The truth after reading our text and talking about the context is that God gives us strength to endure what I cannot handle alone, what we cannot handle alone. Yeah. I think that strength looks like surrender. And so when we are overcoming that lie of, I have to be strong enough, I can handle everything on our own, "that's controlling. We are absolutely holding onto everything within our power and trying to make it all work. It's a lot of, I, me, this, and that, "when truthfully, if we will surrender all circumstances, that is when we find our strength. And I love that you used the word all, because it's in the big moments and the little moments- Mm. that we really need to invite God in, so we can just get what we need. Yeah. I think talking about surrendering those little moments, there is this little battle within us, or I should say massive battle, um, for independence, right? We're like, I'm gonna do me. Our whole world says, You do you. but truthfully, we should have a dependence on the Lord and invite him into all of our circumstances so he can give us strength through all of the things. He is such a gentleman and he will come in where we invite him. So let's get practical for a second. I would love to know, Sydnee, when you are most likely to lean on your own strength, like what are some things that you look out for? Oh, man. Yeah, that's a really good question because I think it's to figure out how you get your strength, you figure out where are you weakest, right? Like, what is the vulnerable point, um, where is the gap in your armor? And I think for me, I am most vulnerable to this when I slack off on meeting with the Lord in my prayer time in the mornings, right? Mm. It leaves me exposed because I am then, like don't get up and say," I declare I'm doing today without the Lord. Obviously, that's not what I wake up and do. I wake up and I'm, it will happen right from," Oh, my kids were up a lot last night, so I just don't have the time I woke up late, I overslept, "or maybe it's even just out of an abundance of things going on, uh, that my mind might go somewhere else first thing. And so in those moments, it's not like I'm intentionally saying," Okay, God, you come last today. "But in reality, it trickles in dominoes throughout my day like that. And so if I would expose my vulnerable spot, so to speak, any time that I step away from that direct c- connection point is when I'm most vulnerable to lean on my own strength, right? Because I, my very first decision of the day was to lean on my own strength. That's so good. Thank you so much for sharing that. And I totally relate, um, choosing not to pursue God, spend time with God in the midst of knowing that we ultimately need a strength just to have grace throughout the day, right? Mm-hmm. To flow and move with any circumstance that we don't see coming, but he does. Um- Oh, that's good. Yeah. Really great point. Yeah, plugging into the one who knows all, so you don't have to be strong. Like, we get to be his children. We get to rest in him when he says," Hey, you know those, like, birds out there? Yeah, I got, I take care of them, they don't worry one second. Hey, all those lilies? Yeah, I clothed those. Like, if I'm gonna take care of those things, why would I not take care of you? Okay, that's Sydney's paraphrasing, so don't come at me. "But when we can understand that and genuinely let go of the worry, let go of the anxiety and be like, Lord, I don't know how, but you're gonna work it out and I'm gonna lean on you so you can be my strength. Hmm, so good. You know, I'm also reminded of talk, kinda going back to our truth that God gives strength to endure what I cannot handle alone. To be honest, there, I can't handle everything like anything alone. Um, I really do need the Lord, um, to come in. And I know we've kind of talked about the big things, the small things, but really, if you think about it, I don't control when I wake up, you know what I mean? Like, I could be here, I could not, but it is by the will of God that I'm able to do it every day that is not on me. So I even think, even for the small appreciations, the small pockets of Thanksgiving, you will find that there is just this big invitation from top of the day to the end of the day, to your point, that we really should be leaning into him. Yeah. And I think it's just so easy in our culture to be, like, out tired each other. Like," Oh, you had a busy day? Let me tell you about my busy day. Oh, you're struggling. Let me tell you about my struggle. "I would love to see the church do a better job of saying," Yeah, there's a lot going on, but the Lord has sustained me. He is my strength and I actually I don't know how it happened, but I made it through a wild day and I came out all right on the other side. "Facts. Let our lives be the witness. Yes, amen. And so I do wanna roll back actually to how, how do we live overcoming lives? How do we gain strength if we miss the mark first thing in the morning? Mm. That's a good one. I think once you Number one, it takes awareness, right? If you're going about your day and you recognize that things are hard, there's always, um, a moment where the Lord's like, Hey, I'm here. I would love to step in. because he isn't just gonna come and bombard us with, You should have spent time with me, right? "But there's, um, he will always create times where you could reconnect, refocus, recenter. Yeah, but it's still a small voice. Yes, but it is up to us to accept that invitation or at least to steal ourselves enough to recognize when it comes. Yeah. And I think that's the perfect way to put that. He makes space. There, his grace is sufficient for us. He will come in and interrupt one of those busy days of mine, and it will be an invitation, like you said, like, Hey, you have five minutes before your next work call, right? What are you gonna do at that time, essentially? "It might be, Hey, listen to this worship song that comes to mind. "It might be like, Hey, here's a scripture that just drops out of nowhere, whatever that looks like. "I think the important thing to note about it is be intentional to give him that time because the God who created the universe wants to have time with you and will not only give you grace if you miss that morning time, but still pursue you throughout the day and in relationship, we wanna also pursue him. So I think it's a good thing, just like if I missed communicating with my husband at all that day, I'd be like, Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. Like, I missed you. I, I overslept. We usually talk in the mornings. "You know, just that little gentle nudge to be like, Man, he's my best friend and I just wanna talk to the Lord. "Beautiful. I also think it's important for all of us to remember that it doesn't have to look the same way every day or every- Yes. moment of the day. Of course, it is wonderful practice to open up your Bible, read his word, pray, give a little Thanksgiving every once in a while or really all the time. However, God honors the effort, right? Like, if you don't have enough time to sit, but you're able to listen to the word on your way to work, there, there's still intentional time to listen to him. Now, I'm not saying that you should, like, completely forego and just live life any old type of way, uh, but just know that there is grace in meeting him. Just meet him where you can, how you can. That's what matters most. Amen. It's relationship. It ebbs and it flows. and I think to say all of that is important for this topic today of you don't have to do it all in your own strength, you don't actually have to carry everything, but you will carry everything until you meet with the Lord. Yeah. We take time to talk about, let's, let's take it to the Lord in the middle of our day, let's read the word, all of these things because it yields results every time. Having a relationship with the Lord gives back in dividends. It is so rewarding and it's so rewarding that we don't even understand here on earth the true, efforts and rewards that come from those efforts, but I just wanna say that we don't have to carry it all on our backs. So we're gonna actively pursue God. We're gonna actively pursue his strength. Ashley, where do you think is a good place to utilize God's strength in your day-to-day? Oh, that's a good one. I think I giggle a little bit just because the first thing that pops to mind are those interactions with people or the right circumstance where things are going awry a little bit. Um, and maybe I just need the Lord's strength to get through the conversation without being sassy- Ooh. to someone, you know? Maybe it's more of, uh, me not getting frustrated when I'm driving on the interstate- Because y'all, people can't drive, okay? They, maybe they say the same thing about me, but I, I do need the Lord to be with me in those moments where there's just the right amount of tension for me to want to do something that I shouldn't do. You know, I think just as we've talked, I just stay reminded of how many times God has really shown up in my life to give me strength. Um, I have children, I have, a husband and a home and a job and, I've got ministry opportunities. We serve at our local church. We also have friendships and just goals and dreams. And these are just the things of life, right? And good things. God has blessed us with all of those things and becoming really aware that God is always faithful through those moments and he even gave me those good things, so he will give me the strength to know how to balance it and handle it. It's really encouraging to be reminded that all I actually have to do is seek him and it'll work out. Amen. So I'm thankful for God who's always on time, he's loving, and he will help us out. Yes. I needed the reminders so I can stay encouraged and just stay in line with this word. Before we end today, I think we should absolutely pray over us and every listener. Lord, we come to you today and just say, thank you. Thank you for showing up on time every time. When we're lost, overwhelmed, or even when we feel like things are going well, we know our help comes from you. I pray that you will guide, bless, and give wisdom for how to move forward, no matter what the situation is. Call out the areas in our life that we've been trying to do things within our own strength, so we can yield those to you and live a free life. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you guys so much for joining us today. If you're ready to dive deeper in your walk with the Lord, we have created a free seven day devotional for you. You can find this on our Instagram @amenandagainpod, or in the show notes. Oh, and before we go, in case you need to hear it again, God will be your strength. You don't have to do it alone. We love you guys. See you next week on. Amen. Amen and again.