“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped and looked around at the many things I’m involved in—the places God sends me, the ministry opportunities He opens to me, the people He allows me to interact with—and felt like crying out, “God, are You sure? Seriously, Lord, do You know who You have on the end of the string here?”
Not an uncommon reaction, of course, and no doubt one you’ve experienced more than once. When we get our focus off God and onto the things He has allowed to come into our lives (much like Peter who walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the swirling waves around him), it is easy, and even natural, to feel overwhelmed. And you know what? Periodically that may be a good thing. There is nothing that can get our eyes re-focused on the One who has called us and equipped us to fulfill that calling than to look at our to-do pile. Our reaction at that point is hopelessness. “I can never do this! This is impossible!”
Of course we can’t do it ourselves, and of course it’s impossible. In fact, Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NKJV). But the other side of that coin—the one that enables us to rejoice in the fact that in our own strength we can do NOTHING—is the verse in Philippians that declares, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me” (emphasis mine). It’s all about our focus. When we hone in on the many things that surround us—people, situations, circumstances, problems, ministry needs—we are nearly crushed by our inability to accomplish anything. But when we refocus on the One who spoke the world into existence, who came to earth to pay our ransom, and who even now intercedes for us, then we can move forward in the confidence that by depending on Him, we can do all that He has purposed for us to do.