Power Outages
Avoiding Spiritual Blackouts
by David Jeremiah

"Power" occurs 264 times in Scripture. The Lord intends us to be powerful people-mighty in optimism and hopeful of spirit, powerful in evangelistic zeal, potent in influence, sturdy in moral fiber and purity. We can be powerhouses in prayer and preaching. God gives "power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29).

"What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe," says Ephesians 1:19-20, "according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

Yet even the great apostle Paul spoke of being "burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8). He admitted to once bypassing a great evangelizing opportunity because of anxiety (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).

Personal power outages occur when we give out more than we're taking in and when we allow particular sins in our lives. Blackouts occur when we allow harmful attitudes-bitterness, anxiety, envy, and unresolved anger-to infect our spiritual power grid. Even the health and strength of our physical bodies can affect our souls, especially if our lethargy is caused by lack of discipline.

How can we avoid our own personal blackouts and burnouts? The critical thing in avoiding power outage is to stay plugged in to the power source-to worship the Lord daily, keeping our eyes on Him and drawing strength from Him. "All my springs are in You" (Psalm 87).

Our Lord Jesus knew the secret source of daily replenishment. Mark 1:35 says: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed."

Just as we need to plug our cell phones and laptops in to the electrical circuit for recharging, we need to recharge our spiritual batteries by spending time daily in God's presence, reading His Word, praying, confessing our sins, and fellowshipping with Him. "Feed on His faithfulness" (Psalm 37:3).

We must also learn to live by faith. Much of our burnout is caused by not trusting God to handle things too large for us. "Casting ALL your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). We falter under our heavy loads of care if we don't learn to entrust all our problems to Him for whom nothing is impossible.

We must also take breaks. Jesus told the disciples, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). It's important to get regular sleep and exercise.

We also need to rediscover the lift of laughter. The Bible tells us to be cheerful, glad, to look up, to rejoice in the Lord.

Finally, don't be afraid to work hard. In balancing burnout with rest, don't go too far in the direction of dawdling and dalliance. Life is hard, and the Lord's work is tiring. Protecting ourselves from breakdown is important, but we must accept a certain amount of fatigue. Listen to what Mark and Luke said about Jesus: "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him . . . And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him" (Mark 5:30 and Luke 6:19).

Paul spoke of his "weariness and toil . . . sleeplessness . . . hunger and thirst . . . [and] deep concern for all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:27-28). As we care for the needs of our families, churches, jobs, and the work God gives us, we'll often be tired. Let's just make sure we're tired in God's work and not of it.

Evangelist D.L. Moody said, "I don't believe that [a person breaks] down . . . with hard work, so much as with using the machinery without oil, without lubrication. It is not the hard work that breaks down ministers, but it is the toil of working without power."

Stay close to the power source. You can do all the things He desires and requires through Him who strengthens you.

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This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah's devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your complimentary copy of Turning Points.

Sunday, March 01, 2009