The Real Power Within

Last month, five people were hospitalized with severe burns on their feet after participating in a Tony Robbins seminar. Robbins is a well-known motivational speaker and, as part of the day’s events, participants were encouraged to walk across hot coals. He encourages people to ‘unleash the power within them’ to overcome problems in life. The company says the fire walk is “a symbolic experience that proves if you can make it through the fire, you can make it through anything.”
Many people have found help and encouragement through self-help and motivational seminars like the ones Tony Robbins runs. We all seem to need extra help and encouragement to get on with things in life.
But the power within us – that is, within our humanity – doesn’t have much to offer. The flesh is just simply limited. No matter how many positive thoughts we send ourselves, we fall short. Thankfully, as Christians, we believe there is another power within us – one that does help. The Holy Spirit lives within each Christian.
Jesus said before his ascension that “it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) The Greek word for helper is ‘paraclete’. The ‘paraclete’ is one who ‘comes along side’ us to ‘help’, ‘comfort’ and be our ‘advocate.’
This is what makes the Christian life so unique. We are no longer required to live in our own strength. We don’t need a pep-talk to make it through the day. We don’t need to dig deep to find some hidden power with us. Rather, the power of the risen Christ lives within us. He’s more than ready to be unleashed and empower us for daily living. We just need to ask. Paul reminds us that “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
So save yourself a thousand bucks in seminar costs and possible burns on your feet: invite the power of the Holy Spirit to be unleashed in your life today!

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