Running blindly into the inky darkness, I desperately tried to find my way to safety. The crack of a twig and rustling leaves told me he was near. Eyes wide, the “O” of a silent scream formed on my mouth. Shadows chased me through the dark alley. Suddenly, I could run no further. Dead end! I turned slowly, my back against the cold brick wall. There was nothing between me and this man. His large body blocked my only route to freedom. I tried to lift my arms for protection, but they were frozen. I was defenseless.
The terror of the nightmare jolted me out of my sleep. Barely able to breathe, suffocating in fear, I fought the feeling of powerlessness that engulfed me.
That helpless, useless and powerless sensation can overwhelm any one of us from time to time. Watching a loved one suffer with an illness; seeing broken relationships that should be healed and whole; wanting to help, but not knowing how. Powerless.
Sometimes it can be a simple task in the midst of an out of control schedule that pushes you over the edge. You feel powerless to change the situation. Many times our reaction to those situations disappoints us. If you are like me, those are the times you feel powerless to be the person you KNOW you should be in Christ.
But God.
“And how very great is His power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which He used when He raised Christ from death and seated Him at His right side in the heavenly world.” Ephesians 1:19-20 GNT
Let this scripture soak deep into your soul; let it permeate your heart and your mind. God’s power is at work in those of us who have put our faith in Jesus. It is the SAME power that God used when He raised Christ from the dead. Resurrection power. Miraculous power, according to Strong’s Dictionary (G1411 dunamis, from G1410 dunamai, meaning to be able). Ability, power, strength, might.
Scare you much? It petrifies me. To know that amount of power is available to me, because of Jesus. Goodness, I wish I could tell you that I walk in His power each and every day. I wish I could tell you that having this kind of power in me makes me confident. It makes me weak-kneed instead. My husband says that if we had faith in this power, we could do a lot more, but we are weak.
If you are like me, then I urge you to strengthen your faith by internalizing these truths from scripture. They give us much insight into the resurrection power in us:
Know that it is available and at work in us.
Ephesians 1:9 tells us that His power is at work in us. Bury this truth in your heart, and remember it as you walk through various trials or circumstances that make you feel powerless. You are empowered NOW.
Know that it is Holy Spirit led.
If Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of your life, you have His Holy Spirit in you. He enables us to be what we cannot be on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us for living with strength beyond our own.
“But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 AMP
Our weakness, His power.
Odd though it seems, His power works best in our weakness. In our weakest moments His power will shine. And those who know us well, and see us empowered beyond our own natural capacity, will know it is Christ’s power at work in us. Those who don’t know us, will hear us boasting about our weaknesses, so that God is honored.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Know that it is from God and not ourselves.
This power is to be used for God’s honor and glory, in the ministries that He has called us to. He has provided for you and empowered you to serve!
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
May we all walk in newness of life, EMPOWERED beyond what we could ask or imagine.
Grace be with you,
Love, love, love this post. These are some of the exact same truths I learned while going through 2 years of Christian counseling. Thank you for sharing these truths. I’ll be sharing this article with my own community. 🙂
Samantha, I am so thankful this encouraged you today! Isn’t it funny how we have to be reminded of His power in us? Sometimes I preach to myself on this blog! 🙂 Blessings to you!
I am surprised at where this blog took me: It was ten years ago exactly when I was preparing to take part in a mission trip that would forever change my life and I have NEVER truly been the same since! I traveled to Uruguay to work alongside a missionary family in a large city plus some very remote areas. The experiences I had over this week long journey are as vivid today as though they’d happened just yesterday…
To say that God stepped in and showed Himself is putting it mildly! I was placed in a position of being THE interpreter as we ventured around the city on foot and also as we traveled from place to place by van (with a driver who spoke NO English whatsoever). The problem was, Latin American Spanish (which I teach) and the European Spanish that we encountered are NOT quite the same. Also, at that time I was much more fluent in French, because I hadn’t had as many opportunities to use my Spanish, that is up to that time!
Whenever I share my experiences with others, I can’t help but tell them about how God worked THROUGH me. You see, there was NO way that I alone was able to translate because I simply didn’t have the ability to hold such complex conversations that were required for the work we faced during that trip. It was ALL God, showing His power and His mighty strength!!
Oh such priceless memories and how exciting to think of what He is yet to do here, where He has placed us now… I am still in awe of how He used me in Uruguay, that He chose me to be His mouthpiece to minister to those precious people. If He could speak through MY broken attempts at conversing in Spanish then, He certainly can use my voice to minister to those He places in my path today, here at home!
What encouragement you have brought to me today… I’m not sure you have any idea of the impact you’re having on the lives of your readers! May you continue to follow through on writing about those random thoughts that don’t necessarily seem to be going anywhere in particular… God has a purpose for everything He’s prompting you to write about, even if you can’t see it ❤️
To God be the glory, Debbie! Such a wonderful reminder and memorial stone for you on your journey of faith! What an awesome testimony!! Thank you for sharing here!
Oh girl, you hit the nail on the head for me. Lately, every morning I am reminding myself out loud that I have the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. I want that reminder as I step into each day. Our lives are filled with so much uncertainty, but with strength and power that doesn’t come from us, we can live as conquerors! Great post my friend.
Thanks my sweet friend! Like you, I have to constantly remind myself of His power available to me! Especially this week – it’s been a bear! I appreciate you, Kristine!