For the last few weeks, I've been having electrical problems. The ceiling light in my craft room started flickering wildly, causing anything that was plugged into that circuit to turn off. Consequently, my computer suddenly shut down in the middle of whatever I was working on, and my sewing machine stopped in mid-stitch. The power would quickly return, but then shut off again. I called an electrician, who fixed the problem, and all was well.

Four days later, my washing machine stopped mid-cycle. It's on the same circuit as a small bathroom, the dryer, and an outlet behind the dryer, into which I plug a power bar for my iron and lamp. Frustrated, I checked the breakers; that didn't help. I unplugged the power cords and tested them on an extension cord plugged in elsewhere. They worked, so it wasn't the cords. Then, I remembered the button in the bathroom that pops when the circuit is overloaded. Sure enough, it had popped. I pushed in the button and plugged in my iron to test the power — nothing — and no lights on the washing machine. Now, I was really frustrated. Not sure what to do, I worked on something else for a while, then walked back into the room to discover that the cords for both the power bar and the washing machine were lying on top of the ironing board — I hadn't plugged them back in! Thanking God for showing me what was wrong, I connected the cords and was delighted to see that everything worked. I had power.

How often in our lives we find ourselves personally out of power — tired, depressed, anxious, worried about health or family issues! Sometimes, we search around for answers or solutions, frustrated, as I was, when we can't figure out what to do. Then, we realize that the answer was there all the time, like my unplugged power cords. We just need to reach out and plug in to our personal source of power — God the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 147:4-5 – He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! (NLT)

God created everything — He knows His world so intimately that He even calls the stars by name. We can't begin to comprehend the power that He has and the power that is available to us through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:20 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (NLT)

2 Peter 1:3a – By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. (NLT)

Let's remember to make a conscious decision to trust God and rely on His power whenever we feel like we're "unplugged". When we're filled with doubt, worry, or fear, let's remember God's promise to walk alongside us when we call upon Him.

Prayer: Father, we pray that we will be strengthened with all Your glorious power so that we will have all the endurance and patience that we need. Help us to remain in You instead of in the world as we rely on Your glorious power. Amen.