There’s Power in Being Powerless
Times are just plain tough right now. If you live in the West, as I do, fires are burning–consuming millions of acres, leveling entire towns and stealing every last possession of hundreds of thousands of people.
Similar losses are occurring in the South and on the East Coast due to hurricanes and unprecedented floods.
And across the world Covid-19 is devastating families, people of all ages, and businesses and so much more.
We are fast learning that we are powerless over these situations, in fact powerless over our very lives any moment of the day.
This week I’ve been thinking about the fact that the word powerless contains the word power, so maybe if we focus on that part of the word we can begin to experience the strength and trust and peace that we all crave–but that can only come from the One that holds the power–God, Higher Power, Life Source, however you view the Being greater than yourself.
Donating money and time and talent come to mind during these crises and all are good, but I’m finding that prayer and meditation and personal surrender to what is in this moment (the only moment any of us has) is the best way for me to retain my sanity and serenity and to be of any service to others.
As the Twelve Step programs remind us: We didn’t cause it (the situation) and we can’t control it or cure it, so our best next step is to surrender, trusting our Higher Power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. That’s where I am today.
Where are you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings.
God says, “Call me when trouble comes.
I will help you, and you will honor me.” (ERV)
Where am I??? Right there with you, Karen. Thank you for these thoughts and the reminder of those three C’s. Wow. I needed that today. Fighting it all does me no good. God has this…just like He always does, dear friend. I love you.
Thanks so much, Heidi. I love knowing we share the same viewpoint.
How well expressed your feeling during this time of so much uncertainty . I am sure many people are feeling the same . I may have shared this before , not sure… During all of this time my comfort has come from these two words. Trust =Peace
“ Trusting as the moments fly .
Trusting as the days go by .
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus , that is all”
A very old hymn , but so true
I love reading these words no matter how often I hear them. Thanks so much, Etta Mae.
Very good, Karen. My prayer is to trust the only one who is in control and that is God. You are so right, “We” did not cause this situation we are in, and we certainly cannot control it nor find a cure, but hopefully and prayerfully someone will find a cure and I pray God’s timing will be soon. That would take care of the virus situation and we pray that God will see fit to protect those who are fighting the fires and who are battling the storms of life. It can be so difficult but I have to put all my trust in God . Of course this is not always easy but we have to depend on Him to help us to be faithful in our beliefs. Thank you for making US think deeper! Love to you and may you “stay safe”. Margaret
Thanks, Margaret. YES, in God we trust alone. ❤️😊
Karen, I am new to your wonderful writings and look forward to them. I am a retired Anglican Vicar and although we don’t have the same amount of virus problems, nevertheless we join with you in the uncertainty of it all.
I join with you in prayer and pray that God will heal our land and change our world by His wonderful power. Colin
Colin, thanks so much for joining with us in prayer and for your lovely compliment about my writing. May you be safe and well.
Thank you Karen. “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches you.”
God bless, and be safe.
Thanks, Marie. May you be safe and well too. I love this verse.
We must remember that “with Him we can do all things! Stay safe, Karen.
Thank you, Chloe. I totally agree.
So true, Karen. We are powerless over much of what is happening in our world. But we can rely on the one who has promised never to leave nor forsake us. It’s so easy to try to control it ourselves — but we can’t. We can only surrender, as you said. Thank you for the reminder!
Thanks, Carol. We help each other remember the truths. So grateful for your friendship.
Thanks for this neat perspective Karen.
Thinking on the passage in Philippians 4:8…”Whatsoever things are true…think on these things. Grateful this is true for us today:
Our friends and family have work, are healthy and have food, clothing and shelter. We were blessed to miss being hit by the recent hurricanes.
We also got to take a walk on a local bridge yesterday and watch dolphins play with the sun peeking through the clouds.
Trying to stay focused on what God has given me power over.
Smiles, BRC
A wonderful comment, Beth. I love your final sentence about staying focused on what you can control (and leaving the rest to God). Amen to that.