Life Verse: A Christian's Guiding Principle

A life verse is typically viewed as a personal scripture that profoundly connects with an individual, influencing their thoughts and behavior. For numerous Christians, this verse acts as a source of motivation and a reminder of their faith. Here are some important elements of a life verse:

• A life verse symbolizes an individual's personal journey and connection with God.

• It offers guidance in difficult moments and strengthens faith.

• It can inspire and encourage, reminding believers of God's assurances.

How to choose a Life Verse:

• Reflect on times in your life when scripture has offered you comfort or understanding.

• Explore the Bible to discover verses that align with your beliefs and experiences.

• Ask for divine guidance to determine which verse should be your guiding principle.

Another important factor to consider when selecting your life verse is to ensure you comprehend its meaning. Make sure you are applying it to your life accurately. Let me give you an example from the verse I chose. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me":

After my husband's death, I felt like the most vulnerable woman in the world—like a deer caught in headlights, except the headlights were my own indecisiveness. I suddenly found myself incapable of making even the simplest decisions. It was as if I had woken up with amnesia, but not the cool kind you see in the movies. No, I was stuck in a never-ending loop of forgetting how to perform daily tasks. It wasn't until a dear friend gifted me the daily devotional "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. I highly suggest you get one, too. I purchased one for my mother, and she said she felt as if Jesus was speaking directly to her each day. Returning to my point, one of the verses in my devotional was Phil 4:13, which immediately became my motto! I needed to to do whatever I needed to do in my life with Jesus' strength not mine. Now, I'm not saying that this verse didn't help me through several months of very challenging times, because it did. However, it was only when I began studying the Bible that I understood its true meaning.

To understand verse 4:13, it's crucial to consider its context, which is the most important aspect of studying the Bible. My Bible study teacher, Allan Parr, emphasized: "If you take the text out of context, you get con." This is how one can become vulnerable to false teachings. So Paul wrote this in his letter to the Philippians, connecting Christ's strength to their financial support of his ministry. Throughout his ministry, Paul experienced extreme situations. Reading more of Philippians Chapter 4, verse 12 explains how Paul learned the secret of handling both abundance and need. Paul was deeply content, and any support from the church filled him. The phrase "do all things" indicates that Paul was ready to face any situation in life because Christ empowered him. His contentment came from knowing that when he reached his limits, God would provide at the right time. Contentment is most often learned during times of great need. While Philippians 4:13 doesn't imply that God will grant us miraculous strength to achieve anything we want to do without considering His will, it does mean, however, that in times of trouble and trials, our faith equips us to endure any situation life presents, as Christ strengthens us.

Although my initial understanding of my chosen Life Verse was not entirely accurate, it still resonated with me. In truth, applying the verse correctly has had a more profound impact on my life. I now grasp what Paul meant when he spoke of the sufficiency of Christ's strength. I can't predict which verse will resonate with you. Perhaps it will be Philippians 4:13. Whatever it may be, you'll recognize it when you read it. You'll also discover, as I did, that even if it doesn't mean what you initially thought, God knew it was the Life Verse you needed.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please reveal your Word to us and open our hearts to it. Every word penned by the authors of the Bible was inspired by You. Help guide us to live our lives inspired by those words, as well. In Jesus' name...Amen