4 Reasons Why You Don’t Feel Power from the Lord — and Why You’re Probably Wrong
We think that being powerful in God is an emotional thing. We’re flying high, we’re working miracles, we’re on intimate terms with God – or rather, we really don’t feel those things and think that everyone else does! Sure, sometimes the Christian life feels like flying and that is a good thing! It’s a blessing. But do you know what the bigger blessing is? Not feeling like flying – instead we’re trudging, shuffling, even crawling — but these are the most blessed times if we are depending on God. These are times when we are truly powerful because we can’t do anything under our own power. These are blessing times.
The #1 thing to remember – if you are praying, reading the Bible and going to church then you probably ARE walking in power even if you don’t feel like it! The devil is going to try to mislead you. “I’m useless, I’m not doing what God wants me to, I’ve still got this problem so I can’t be effective, this happened and that ruined everything, blah blah blah.”
Here are 4 reasons that we don’t feel powerful – and why we’re probably wrong.
#1. God is teaching you to depend on Him and not on yourself. Ask for discernment so you can see where God is using you, especially around your spiritual gifts. Praise God for using you in this way!
See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. (Is. 40:10-11)
#2. God is helping you to root out deeply entrenched sin or guilt. You have unresolved sin in your life that is stopping the flow of power. We are all sinners and we can certainly keep bearing fruit in some areas, but some sin really gums up the works and God is working with you on it. Ask God for discernment about a sin that’s stopping you from realizing a lot of blessing. Remember that we are forgiven, and if you are confessing your sin and trying to obey then you will still bear fruit!
You may also be dealing with guilt over an old sin or sins that are over and done with. Ask for forgiveness and know that you have it.
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins. (Is. 40:1-2)
#3. Satan is telling you all sorts of lies so you don’t really believe you can have power in Christ! Study the power of God in the Bible and pray that God helps you to see the truth about Him, and receive His blessing and power. Remember that Satan is the father of lies! If you hear a discouraging voice inside your head that is NOT the voice of our loving Savior! The Holy Spirit may warn you about something but He will not condemn you.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down. (Rev. 12:10)
#4. God has you walking through the desert in order to learn and grow. Trust in Him and keep walking because He’s walking right alongside you!
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Is. 40:3-5)
Just keep going – and trust Him for the strength you need. He will give it to you whether you feel like you’re flying, running or just trudging along.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)