Fully Alive

“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT). For some strange reason, we Christians think we are to be exempt from tribulations and “hard times.” Trouble is a fact of life! The above scripture is the key to living life as an overcomer, and not a loser. A person becomes a loser because he “quits” life, takes no risks, and lives a life of self-pity. Tennyson wrote, “Life is not an idle ore, but iron dug from central gloom, and heated hot with burning fears, and dipped in baths of hissing tears, and battered with the chocks of doom to shape and use.” Beethoven was deaf and composed majestic music. Walt Disney was told he had no talent when he submitted his first drawings for publication. F.W. Woolworth was not allowed to wait on customers at the age of 21, because he had “no sense.” All of the above mentioned people had weaknesses, but were “overcomers” in bad situations. Paul said, “I have cheerfully made up my mind to be proud of my weaknesses, because they mean a deeper experience of the power of Christ. I can even enjoy weaknesses, suffering, privations, persecutions and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For my very weakness makes me strong in him” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Phillips). “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). About the author: Addie Anderson is the wife of Dr. Bill Anderson. She has four children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. degree in Education.