The Truth About Accomplishing the Impossible

Not too long ago, a woman asked me a good question. She said, “Joyce, how do I live the Christian life?” I immediately knew what she meant because it’s a question I get asked a lot. What she wanted to know was, How do I change and become the person the Bible says I can be?

Without hesitating, I replied, “You can’t!” This answer surprised her, but then I went on to explain that it’s because we need God’s help—His grace—to grow and change.

On our own, it is impossible to accomplish all that God asks of us because His plan for us is so good. But He does not leave us to do this alone. His grace is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do the things He asks us to do.

This doesn’t mean we don’t have a part to play. Our part is to agree with God when He shows us areas where we need to grow and change. We have a responsibility to develop our relationship with Him and do our best to obey what His Word says to do.

But we can’t change unless He helps us—that’s His part. God wants to give us the desire and the ability to grow and become more like Him. He wants to do the impossible in our lives and leave us amazed, saying, “That was God!”

Not in Your Own Strength

While it’s true that determination and self-discipline are wonderful and necessary things to have, we can’t live the life God has for us based on willpower alone. We need God’s help.

I learned this lesson the hard way. Years ago, after receiving Christ in my life, I began reading the Bible and seeing all the ways I needed to change. I have a “Type A” personality and can be very determined, so I decided that nothing was going to stop me from doing what His Word says to do.

There was only one problem—I wasn’t leaning on God to help me. As a result, I only got more and more frustrated…and I was frustrating the people around me.

The apostle Paul addresses this subject in his letter to the Galatians. He says, Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh? (Galatians 3:3 AMPC)

Everything we read in God’s Word requires His grace to carry out in our lives. When we try to do it entirely on our own, it only leads to frustration. That’s why the Bible encourages us to stay away from “works of the flesh.” Works of the flesh are our efforts and energy trying to do what only God can do.

So, I ask you today: Are you struggling with something that seems impossible to change? Are you frustrated trying to act differently or “be a better Christian”? Do you ask for God’s help with things like raising your children, performing well at work…or the many little things you do each day? Or here’s a big one: Are you trying to change someone else?

Philippians 2:12-13 is such an important passage. It says, …continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling…. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work…[that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill you purpose] for His good pleasure (AMP, emphasis added).

These verses instruct us to “actively pursue spiritual maturity” and do our very best to obey God’s Word (our part). However, it also says that we can’t do it on our own—it is God Who gives us the strength, ability and desire to grow and change.

Spend Time on the Vine

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (ESV, emphasis added).

One of the greatest things you can do is spend time “hanging on the vine”—reading God’s Word, talking to Him in prayer, and just sitting in His presence.

Let God know that you can’t do anything without Him…that you need His help with everything.

In fact, I’ve learned that “Help me!” is one of the most spiritual and powerful prayers we can pray. Why? Because we’re telling God, “I can’t do it alone. I need You in this situation or it’s not going to turn out right!”

Even when I’m getting ready to do something I have done a thousand times before, I still require God’s grace and help. I’ll pray, “Lord, please help me today. I can’t do this without You. I require Your strength and guidance for any of this to work.”

The truth is, you were never meant to live this life alone. God has a unique and wonderful plan for your future, and He wants to help you walk it out. He desires for you to come to Him and receive His grace for every detail of your life. As you do, you’ll begin to enjoy life on a whole new level…and discover that anything is possible with God.