First up, we have Isaiah 41:10. The King James says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” This is basically God saying, “Relax, I’ve got a handle on the spinning plates. You just stand there and look pretty.”
Fun fact: This verse was reportedly a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. You know, the woman who survived more assassination plots than a James Bond villain. If she needed a reminder not to be dismayed, you can forgive yourself for needing one after a flat tire.
The “Strength When You’ve Got Nothing” Verse
Next, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” People love to slap this on gym posters next to a dude lifting a car. But the original context? Paul wrote it from prison, probably eating terrible jail food and missing Netflix.
So when you’re staring down a spreadsheet that looks like hieroglyphics, remember: you can do all things. Including not crying in the breakroom. Surprising fact: The phrase “all things” in Greek doesn’t mean you can fly or breathe under water. It means you can endure any crummy situation with patience. So, yes, you can survive your Aunt Carol’s five-hour slideshow of her vacation.
