God’s power is the source of our strength, so what happens when we get unplugged? Bronlynn shares her recent experience with a heat wave and how it reminded her of the need to stay plugged in to the Lord.
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
We recently experienced a severe wind storm called a derecho and were without power for almost three days. Temperatures in the 90’s and 100’s made the situation even more uncomfortable.
I did not handle those three days too well. I was thankful for the generator giving us fans and refrigeration. I also had the option of going to my parents’ apartment to stay cool. But one thing I did not do was to stay plugged in to God’s power. I was hot and irritable. I was frustrated that couldn’t be of more help. I didn’t feel like reading Scripture or praying, other than sending up prayers for power to be restored and thanking God for a wonderful husband and a generator.
Without electricity our modern lives come to a halt–no refrigeration, no email, no cable TV, no air or heat, sometimes no water, and no Facebook! In order to benefit from electricity we must be plugged in through electrical wiring. Otherwise the power is useless. But what a blessing that power is when we are connected.
Without staying plugged in to God’s power, through His Word and communication with Him, I lose important blessings as well, such as strength for difficult situations, a peaceful, positive attitude, patience, and less anxiety and stress. I didn’t experience many of those blessings because I didn’t maintain an ongoing connection with my power source.
Living with pain and problems is a continual test and life in general brings many additional trials. I can only survive by God’s power and strength, not my own. But I must stay plugged in to Him to benefit. I imagine there will be plenty of other opportunities for me to practice what I have learned. I hope the next time I’m faced with such a difficulty, I will stay connected with God whether I feel like it or not. I also hope and pray that it will be awhile before God tests me with lack of power in the summer heat!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are my source of strength and power. Give me a willing and obedient spirit to maintain my connection with You, especially through the difficult times. Amen.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
Have you had difficult situations when you have not stayed plugged in to God’s power? How do you motivate yourself to maintain that connection?
Chris Tomlin sings, “Our God.” This is one of those moments to take your hands off the keyboard and just sit back and be refreshed.
Bronlynn,
I just read your devotional as it is Sunday morning and I am alone and not in church. I listened to the song which we sing at my church. Needless to say, it brought tears to my eyes. I needed this today, so thank you somuch for sharing your “heated” experience. No, it is not fun to be disconnected from the comforts of what we are all used to in this world of ours or even worse, how I am feeling lately, spiritually disconnected.
I had one of those times last October when we had a horrible accident in ou rv. I became totally unplugged to my source and went through all the feelings and emotions you so aptly described. Oh ye of little faith was how I thought of myself as I was going through it and then especially afterwards. Long story short, we got home safely with thr rv even though by any reasonable logic, we shouldn’t have been able to drive it 20 plus hours home. Yes, we were a long way from home in physical miles and I was certainly a long time in days being unresponsive and distant from my source. My attitude and behavior sure showed it.
WhenGod and my husband got us hone safely with me praying and crying all those miles was the knowledge that I had not behaved in a Godly manner, to say the least. I had to do an examination of conscience on myself and it was not pretty. I had to apologize to my husband, but the hardest part of all; I had to ask God for forgiveness of my sins during this awful trial. I felt so ashamed of myself; I still find it painful to think about those days after the accident and the sad part I played for all to see. But this is why we have trials and tribulations , right; to learn and to grow in our walk with our precious Lord.
As you state, Bronlynn, we must stay connected to our power source each and every hour so that whenwe are faced with the inevitable trials of life, we will have His power to adapt and overcome in His name.
Blessings to all
A similar situation took place here in RI last year after a very nasty series of thunderstorms knocked out power to a lot of the state. It was in June, and it did get pretty hot out (although, thank God, we didn’t have a heat wave), and I live in an apartment complex where there is no generator for when the electricity goes off. They assume you will go to stay with friends or family, but I have no such options. It was towards the end of the month, and since I depend upon Social Security checks that come in at the beginning of the month, I was out of both money and food. The little bit of food that I did have got pretty iffy with no refrigeration for 3 days. I was hungry, getting dehydrated because all of the water was the same tepid temperature and I didn’t find it very appealing, and I couldn’t use the stove to heat water for tea – I began to get really nervous and worried about how I was going to get through it, and I remember that I just kept praying a lot. It is sobering indeed to realize how much we depend upon electricity, and how it becomes even more challenging for someone in my situation to function in society when the power is off. The whole thing did remind me that to trust that the Lord will provide and he will get me through anything, but I was still very glad when the lights all came on and the refrigerator started running again.
Bronlynn – there have been such harsh weather conditons this summer across our nation. I also know that similar power outages can happen in the winter, as well.
The few times the electricity has gone out for me have been very disorienting times. First, they have happened in the winter, I live in a one bedroom apartment and the heat leaves fast. God has overseen each event but I do agree that praying is not the first response for me, either. I am more into anxiety mode hoping the power comes back, stepping carefully to be sure I do not fall even with candles and a flashlight handy and gathering every blanket I have to try and keep warm.
I have been one who often romanticizes the colonial times but living on the edge for hours or a day without the conveniences I have come to count on have brought a clearer message.
Your account is one that is a good reminder to try to stay focused on the One who will bring us through any hard time when literal power or the human power in our body works come to challenge us. All times are in His hands and we often need some lessons to remember that reality.
Thanks!
Lynn
Patty,
Thanks for sharing. Isn’t it wonderful to know that although we fail so completely at times, God understands, forgives, and gives us other chances to practice what we (hopefully!) learned
I pray that even though you may feel disconnected from others physically, the Holy Spirit will uplift you in knowing you are connected spiritually with the many of us who can relate to what you are experiencing. We are part of that “cloud of witnesses” in the book of Hebrews – you are not alone 
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Melanie,
Your situation sounds like it was very difficult to handle. I”‘m sure being alone made it much more challenging for you. Praise God He took care of you. I need to make note of times like these and store them up for future reference, when I am again tempted to doubt God’s faithfulness.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Lynn
I’ve been tempted to romanticize earlier times as well, until I lived on a farm that was built during the Civil War and was a little too rustic
Much as I don’t like to be hot, I think that’s better than being cold. Hopefully neither of us will have too many of these experiences but whenever we do, try and keep focused on God’s faithfullnes and provision. Hope you are doing well.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Thanks, Bronlynn–That really spoke to me!
Thanks Bronlynn,
And yes, we have such an awesome God who never fails us as we fail Him. I find it hard to fathom the amazing grace He bestows on us. It just really overwhelms me !There are no words powerful enough to describe it in my humble opinion. How many times does He forgive us our sins! Always and forever. Jesus pain our sin debt in full!!Yes, we are expected to learn from our mistakes and one of my prayers is just that ; to apply the lessons learned in the next trial. And the next and the next!!
I am so blessed by RM and all of you and blessed to be part of the “cloud of witnesses” who are running the race with endurance together ,in supporting, understanding, compassion and empathy. It is so good to not feel so isolated and alone anymore!,
Praise God!