Unlimited

Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to be unlimited.  Unlimited in your gifts and talents, and in our potential and love.  What a thought!

Other words to describe unlimited; are absolute, boundless, endless. immeasurable, immense, incalculable, indefinite, infinite, limitless, unconditional, unfettered, universal, unrestrained, unrestricted, untold and vast!  I love reading all of these words, because in the confines of our humanity we can feel very limited and restricted, so these words speak to me of freedom and power.

The quest for power has been a desperate endeavour throughout the whole of history. Many leaders in our world have ravished our societies through war and pain for their own glorification. On the flip side, leaders we admire are those that were willing to lead us through darker seasons and change things for the better, such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Tereasa, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela to name a few. May be at the time, they didn't realise how significant their fortitude and leadership would impact the world.  What would you do if you were given leadership power? How would you use it; for yourself or for the betterment of others? 

The bible describes God's power as omnipotent, meaning that God can do anything he wants as his power and authority is unlimited.  God's power in also inherent and seen throughout the creation. If we believe God created everything, we only need to look at each other; how much we love; how we are so unique and look at how beautifully powerful the creation is, to realise how powerful God really is. 

So if God is absolute, boundless, endless. immeasurable, immense, incalculable, indefinite, infinite, limitless, unconditional, unfettered, universal, unrestrained, unrestricted, untold and vast, and if God is the creator of the universe, then what power are we talking of here?  Not only that, but the God who holds all this power actually wants to know us personally and have a relationship with us! Then surely as we pray and become more like God, we can also share in some of that potential. 

We receive the power of God at the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This happened to Jesus, as when he came up from the water in the lake when he was baptised, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove and filled Jesus.  From that moment Jesus was then empowered to do miracles, signs and wonders.  Just as Jesus, the Holy Spirit equips us for works of service, giving us a greater power for our giftings and love.  The power of the Holy Spirit, also known as the anointing, is a spiritual resource that's made available to fulfil our God given assignments and maximise our potential and giftings.  This power is God putting his extra on our ordinary.  Anyone can have a wonderful gift, but only God's power can remove burdens and chains from people's lives, so if we want to be fully empowered then we need the anointing on those gifts to make the difference.  With the Holy Spirit you can really soar in your full potential! 

If you were given leadership power but this time from God (the anointing), how would you use it?  Would you use it for the betterment of others or for your own ego?  The heart of God is always to restore people back to love. Are we willing to help people to see God's heart, are we going to help them recover from burdens and problems, are we going to lead them back to God?  We may not have God's unlimited power, but we can share in his immeasurable power and partner with him in helping others. This is so exciting for any new Christian or for those more seasoned in their faith journey.  We can all share in receiving God's power in our lives and soar!  Romans 8, 11, says that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.....what a thought to ponder on!

Jer 10 v 12 - It is he who made the earth by this power, who established the world by this wisdom and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 

Jer 32, v 17 - Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you. 

Matthew 19 v 26 - Jesus says, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

Isaiah 10 v 27 - And at the day shall his burden be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. 

(This defines the anointing as the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God.  The anointing is what delivers God's people and sets captives free). 

When I feel non existent

There are times when we feel completely ignored by people, be it friends or family. Sometimes we feel like no-one understands us completely.  Our dreams, our needs and our hopes to be cared for become invisible.  It's almost like we could be standing screaming and no-one would bat an eyelid, we literally feel invisible and feel treated that way by others. How do we combat our negative thoughts?

No matter how we are feeling, every single person is deserving of love and is valuable. Without question, you are a wonder of God's creation and here for a reason. There's so much positivity to be found in and around you. 

Think positively

Our thoughts are very powerful, as the saying goes 'we become what we think'. So what are you thinking about yourself today?  Our thoughts about ourselves can change how we act and how others may even react to us. Thinking positively about ourselves is important for our well being and mental health, it keeps us alive and strong for a new day.  It keeps us passionate to carry on doing the things that make a difference to the world. The world really does needs your positivity to make a difference today. Can you remember the last time your positive thoughts and actions made a difference in someone else's life?  Philippians 4, 8. 'Finally brothers and sisters, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy then meditate on these things'.

Look to people that love you who you can trust

When we are going through difficult emotions and seasons, sometimes it's a heavy burden to carry alone.  When we carry our burdens alone, it's easy to get tired and feel burnt out.  The weight of the burden can take is toll on us physically, emotionally and spiritually.  However, having even just one trusted friend, family member or confidant to talk to can allow the burden to be shared.  As the saying goes, 'a burden shared is a burden halved'.  Is there anyone in your world you could reach out to when the going gets tough? Don't try and carry things alone but reach out to others, you may find they have been through similar problems and can really help. 

Say a prayer

When things become overwhelming where do we go to for help? It says in Psalm 94, 19 - 'When anxiety became great within me, your consolation brought me joy'. When our worry and anxiety seems to be drowning us. God's comfort can bring us into a more peaceful place. We can rest in knowing that as we pray, God's guidance, help and protection will not leave us. His hand will guide us through every circumstance we may face and bring us through safely. When you feel completely alone, lost or ignored, a sincere prayer to God will not go unnoticed or unheard.  Psalm 66, 19 - 'The Lord has heard my prayer. Thanks to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his loving devotion'.

Be grateful

Being grateful for all the things we already have is a really powerful way to become more positive about our lives.  Scientists have now proven that when we express gratitude, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters that are responsible for our emotions and they make us feel good. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy inside.  This is certainly a power booster for feeling positive. 

Pick yourself back up again

Psalm 40, 2 - 'He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire and set my feet upon a rock'. Through a time of grieving and lost hope, there comes a time when we must decide to pick ourselves back up again. It may be time to start looking forward, rather the back.  It may be time to look at the possibilities and not the obstacles, it may be time to start growing rather than shrinking, to start thriving rather than surviving and start serving rather than receiving.  There's always something new around the corner when your perspective changes. With God's help we will discover our true value and it will lift us from the pit of despair and grief. 

Reach out and help others
Reaching out to help others will put you in a happy place!  Rather than dwelling on negative things about ourselves, when we focus on others, it takes the focus off ourselves. Science has proven helping others releases the chemical oxytocin in your brain which creates feelings of connection, satisfaction and well being. It also contributes to a sense of purpose, boosts self esteem and helps you feel connected to others.  No wonder the bible talks about reaching out to others such a lot, it's not just good for the receiver but for the giver! Wow. 

Put your trust in God

Finally, put your trust in God in whatever circumstance and whatever season you are in, in your life.  He has promised to never ever leave you alone. In Proverbs 18, 24, it says, God is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. God can be the closest friend you'll ever have, this verse specifically states that a true friend can be closer than a family member or sibling, implying that God's love and presence is always with you, even more so than a family member. Deuteronomy 31, 8, 'The Lord himself will go before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged'.  

Love Caroline x