Nationwide Insurance's commercial captured my attention the very first time that I remember seeing it; without the benefit of the audio, it pricked my heart. [We often mute the commercials.]
"This is Kingdom," my Knower shouted!
It's a vivid picture of how I feel when I experience being powerless: small, without options, extremely frustrated.
So, how is this commercial like the Kingdom?
This is one of those times when the natural world is crying out for Kingdom without understanding it's that for which they are crying out.
Feeling powerless for me usually means that I cannot remember who I am, which means that I believe that I have no options.
When I seek outside input from someone else, God especially, I begin to remember who I am and to see other options. [Sometimes the option is to trust God to work it all out, kinda like the girl trusting the insurance agent.]
Life and hope begin to infuse me, and I feel power returning.
As powerful as the video portion is, the audio speaks more Kingdom truth:
"We know how it feels when you aren't a priority."
Messages from all around me reinforce the negative narrative that I am just a number, that I am nothing special and that I deserve to be treated like less than a human being.
These lies also contribute to feeling powerless and its subsequent feelings. If left to marinate in this slough, I become paralyzed and fearful. Without help to breakout I will remain in this destructive cycle that feeds upon itself.
God and followers of Jesus know the truth about you and me. Made in His image and likeness means that we are the exact opposite of what is pictured in this commercial. We are powerful and valuable.
We can fight the lies by speaking the truth to each other as often as we are together and especially in those times when powerless feelings are present. [This requires vulnerability and courage to find someone to help us.]
Fighting can also take the form of action (first in the natural, then in the supernatural). I can look for someone to encourage by seeing the gold in them and celebrating it with them.
Find people to help and serve with a heart filled with compassion.
Give what resources you have to others, and if you can possibly give from limited resources, do it! On whatever front that you are feeling less than, find a way to serve or give from that place of personal weakness or lack. The mathematics of Heaven work distinctly differently than earthly math.
On other way to fight powerlessness is to practice thankfulness for what is happening/has happened, for what we do have and for the things God has promised to us.
We are powerful. We are valuable.
How do you combat the feelings of powerlessness in your life?
Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles are available! Just click on the Follow button or subscribe above.
