We often remember the phrase, “power under control”. I recently read a story about how strong animals like lions, tigers, bears, elephants, and even snakes have been tamed by man. Men have been able to entice and convince these animals to control their power and submit to their control. How interesting it is that the human race, made in the image of God, resist to submit their power to God’s control.
In animals, learned helplessness occurs when an animal is repeatedly subjected to an aversive stimulus that it cannot escape. Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation ( Cherry, 2023). Similar to the animals, the human race when overwhelmed by mental stress , physical limitations, or disabilities, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness can arise. Some of the emotions one can feel are hopelessness, confusion, frustration, anger, depression, and post traumatic stress. In reality, these emotions or feelings are derived from what one is thinking about the situation or circumstances. When circumstances and situations become overwhelming and many things have been tried to control the outcomes , one can begin to think about oneself as weak and powerless to change the situation for the better. Normally, it is believed things can be done and accomplished with one’s own power and control.
In truth, people will fight against the very nature that God gave them, the need for connection. In my counseling practice, I use a Needs Inventory that helps to identify the various needs we as part of the human race need in order to live. These needs can include Connection, physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. These categories have sub-categories that can further define and pinpoint more accurately what a person may need to feel satisfied or dissatisfied with their lives. It does not matter what nationality or ethnicity you are, culture or traditions you practice, we all have needs to live fulfilled and satisfied. The problem lies sometimes when someone feel they are needless. They have everything they need to live joyfully and safely.
God made us to be social beings and in the Bible there are proverbs and sayings of what two can accomplish. Simply put, the Bible tells us that “two are better than one “” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV). Two people can accomplish more than one when working together in unity. If two walk together and one fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falls, for he hath not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:19, KJV). This is an appropriate life lesson pertaining to how much we need connection when going through a tough time.
Jesus says, Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV). Jesus calls humanity to join Him, to partner with Him to bare the troubles of the world. When plowing the fields on a farm, the job becomes easier for planting good seeds when the farmer uses 2 oxen to do the work of digging up the fallow ground. The oxen are yoked together to dig up the tillable, but untilled ground that needs to be plowed and prepared for planting. Once the seed is planted and buried in the ground it dies. The good news is that as the seed that dies is cultivated, watered (Holy Spirit), exposed to sunshine (Son), it will bring forth the fruit of the farmer’s labor.
This is a metaphor of what happens with everyone when they yoke up with Jesus (Son). He digs up all the hardness of the heart, troubles, pains, wrongdoings, and junk. He then plants the seed (Word) deep down in your soul, waters (Holy Spirit) the seed, nurtures the seed with the sun (Son), and fruit will spring forth. The fruit that is harvested are Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering (patience), Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance (Self-Control). These are nine Fruit of the Spirit that is being manifested in you as you live day to day and encounter all types of circumstances and situations that are beyond your control. So it is with Jesus when you come to Him in your powerlessness. Your powerlessness to do anything on your own, your weaknesses are buried and Jesus’ strength becomes and is perfected in you.
Powerlessness under control was awakened In me at a time when I felt so weak and helpless to do anything about my situation. My situation was that I was growing older and not as quick, not so sharp of wit, and not such a go getter that I used to be. The world is changing so quickly, technological advancements are rolling out so fast, by the time you get the knowledge and understanding of one thing, it’s old news and something new has already taken its place. I am not the only one going through these challenges, but also those who have economic challenges, mental health and stressors from trauma, physical and spiritual challenges. Figuring out concepts, principles, and fads are rising so fast, it is little time to determine if these changes are in line with the Christian beliefs that we profess. It seems everyone wants to be on top of what’s happening in the world.
The awareness of this is even though some people think things are theory, science, and experiments, they don’t always connect them to real life situations. Instructions and directions may be given on how to do things and what the things are about, but if we don’t know the life applications we are lost and caught up in things that are totally against our Christian values and compromise our walk with Jesus Christ. Remember I said earlier, we get off track about what we think about things that are encountered. Our thinking and thought patterns will drive our feelings and emotions and lead to behaviors that lead to more conflicted thoughts that cause mental distress and dis-ease. How do you live in a world where there is so much angst about what’s in and what’s out? What is good and what is evil? What can anyone do to change the dilemmas we face about discrimination, inequities, and injustices that are targeted about people of different nations, colors, tongues, and languages? How do we move from hundreds of years of false facts, lies, murders, and killings to really become, “One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty, and Justice for All?
My peace came with remembering the scriptures, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:14, KJV)!” Rather, the Holy Spirit has spoken to me on so many occasions, there is nothing to hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)!” And, God has proven over and over again, “For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37)!” God has proven to be faithful to His promises in His Word. It hit me as I was thinking about my current challenges and past challenges, that God was and is still doing it all. I have NO POWER of my own. In every nation no one have power of their own. Man does not realize that we are just a body made living by the breath of God. If He was to withdraw His breath (Spirit) we die. We are powerless to stop it. We cannot control death nor our lives.
Yes God has given us choice, my realization came through God’s revelation is that I am powerless over all my circumstances and without Him, I am nothing. When we get into positions of thinking and feeling, but lack understanding, we ae powerless over the situations and circumstances we face in our lives. We try to rationalize, explain it away, or give up and take our own lives through suicide, self-harm, or harm others. Others may strike-out at others, steal, kill, destroy, rob, use sex, use drugs or alcohol, and vape. Nevertheless, people discern and know, but will not admit they are powerless over any and all things that come and go in their lives.
But there is more Good News! Today, I got to understand that submitting and casting all my powerlessness onto Jesus is having “powerlessness under control”. When I submitted my life to Jesus, it is no longer I, but Christ that lives in me, the life I now live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave His life for me. I am just a body made by God to carry His breath of life that causes me to be able to connect, interact with, and be identified as Maxine. For too long I lived without purpose and understanding why I am here. Once I discovered my salvation and its working in me, once I yoked up with Jesus I realized all my old life was existing. But now, I am living. I am living with my powerlessness under control. Without Christ I can do nothing.