I've Got the Power

The message in today's God Calling is one that strikes quite deeply and makes me think. It's about straying, about discouragement and overcoming; going on to triumph. Anyone who has ever battled anything will identify, I'm sure.

There are a couple of points made. First, when things aren't working, when circumstances go from bad to worse, when bad things are happening, you have not failed! As a matter of fact, it usually means you're a lot closer to success than you realize. We have a tendency to see failure in the bad circumstances, the adversities we run into. A hurdle is not a road block, but an opportunity to jump higher. We need to seek out the opportunities in the adversities. Also, we are not forsaken! We're still being led, still being guided even when circumstances seem to be at their worst, and it looks hopeless. Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, had far more opposition than support, and endured mocking, jeering, insults and agony. When He hung dead on the cross, it looked like another fool had died for a lost cause. But Jesus had accomplished everything He said He would.

Secondly, we cannot allow adversities to affect our work, our goals, and undo what we've already accomplished. We have to remain focused on our destination and our triumph. Remaining unmoved and focused is how we will triumph. Jesus remained unmoved and focused on his task-to bring us the truth and to die on the cross and make atonement for our sins-right up until He said "It is finished." It was finished then, because through the beating, the mocking, the insults and agony, Jesus still loved, still stayed on his course, and he triumphed. When it looks like you have every reason to give up, then is exactly when you need to go on.

Jesus said something very powerful in the midst of all that turmoil. He said, "I lay my life down willingly, no one has the power to take it from me." He told Pilate that he had no power over Him just before he was crucified. Jesus "life" was to bring the truth to us, that we might have life and have it more abundantly, and to make atonement for our sins and reconcile us back to God. That statement gave me a better understanding of just how much power I have over my circumstances-or how I am affected by them. No one and nothing can take away what I have already won. But, I can give it, or throw it away. I lay down my sobriety, my peace, my celibacy, my success, my victory. I do. No person or circumstance has the power to take them away. Refuse to give in to the urge to go find that drug or to take that drink; to get involved in that relationship you know is a bad move to make. Whatever your victory is over-be it alcohol, drugs, sex, anger, food, doubt, depression, other destructive behaviors, work-a-holic, bad relationships, etc. Whatever you have already won, your task is to keep the victory. You can declare to the circumstance, just like Jesus did to Pilate. "You have no power over me." I'm not going to get discouraged and stray-usually when we stray its discouragement, disappointment, pain, anger, or shame and guilt over a perceived failure that causes it. I'm going to seek out the opportunities to "jump higher" in this adversity. I'm not laying anything I've already won down. I'm staying sober, clean, joyful, peaceful, unmoved, etc. I'm not going back into that bad relationship, I'm still saying no to old "Joe Blow", and I'm pressing on to my triumph, because I have the power to do so. I do; not you!