Do you have enough power in your life?

Regardless of the vehicle, power is required to get from place to place. The greater the power, the quicker and more efficient the trip.

 

The same is true in life, we all require power to get us to where we want to go. When we do not have the power to control our situations and destiny, we begin having feelings of powerlessness. These feelings lead to depression  and anger and can lead to desperate behaviors like drug addiction and acts of aggression. People are often treated for these symptoms in counselor's offices or programs, but feelings of powerlessness are seldom adequately addressed.

The answer to these feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness is to be EMPOWERED!!!

There are four ways that every individual can be empowered: socially, structurally, psychologically, and spiritually. We will write more about each area of empowerment in future blogs or you can go to www.dunamisempower.org for more information.

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Pain of Being a Disappointment

 

A story I heard years ago about a man that committed suicide has stuck with me. I can't remember all of the details, but this man was in his thirties and was a husband and father. Everyone acknowledged that he had always struggled making a living, but those that knew him said that he was a good person and loved his family. The thing that haunted his friend and family--and what has stayed with me for these years--is a statement in a letter he left before he took his life. It said, "I am tired of being a disappointment."

 

The irony is that his greatest act of "being a disappointment" came when he made the choice to end his life.

 

I wonder how many people carry the same feeling? I wonder how many people contemplate suicide because of the same or similar feelings?

 

I know for a fact that many people carry this pain. I have worked for a drug rehab program and have pastored a church and have worked with many people down on their luck or are reaping the fruit of bad decisions. Feeling that they are a disappointment to others and letting family and friends down is a common emotion that many carry.

 

Where does feeling that you are a disappointment to others come from?

• It may come from the words or actions of others. They may have been told directly they are a disappointment.
• It probably means they are disappointed in themselves for not living up to their and other's expectations.
• It may come from unfulfilled hopes and dreams.
• It may be compounded by other issues like health or financial problems.
• It may reach its head if hope is lost.

How do you help someone that may feel like they are a disappointment?

 

First, they must know that your love for them is not dependent on what they do for you. Your love for them should outweigh any disappointment--real or imagined--that the person feels.

 

Second, empower them by giving them support. They may need a little help but don't want to ask or be a burden.

 

Third, shine a light on hope if hope seems to be fading in their lives. Hope is infectious. Hope is saying, "I know that it hurts now, but the pain will go away."

 

Never give up; Never give in; Trust in God always!

 

 

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Please consider supporting Dunamis with a tax deductible gift. Go here to give.

 

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The Pain of Having Nothing

 

Recently I watched a documentary about a college football player named Maurice. He was a naturally gifted player that everyone expected to go on to have a successful career in the NFL. Through a series of events--some of his own and some just unfortunate circumstances--he lost his college eligibility to play football. He wanted to join the NFL draft, but the rules at that time stated that he had to be three years removed from high school to enter the draft and he was only one year out. He had to wait two years for his chance. During those two years, he turned to alcohol and other bad behaviors. When he did get his chance to play professional football, he was not in well enough shape to make a very big impact.

 

The documentary described his motivation for desiring to succeed in football in college and then the pros. He said, "The pain of having nothing drove me." It has been a week since watching the documentary, but those words have stuck in my mind. There is a powerful lesson in those words.

 

First, there is an actual pain that accompanies 'having nothing'. I have been fortunate in life, but I have had periods in my life where I literally went to the store with $35 to by groceries for the next week. I have had to borrow money for gas so that I could get to work. Living in lack is painful especially when surrounded by people with plenty. There are hundreds of people around us each day that are experiencing the pain of having nothing.

 

Second, 'having nothing' gives people a sense of powerlessness. When people feel powerless, they can become resentful and angry, thy can feel depressed and suicidal, and these feelings can effect their behavior. I theorize that many mass and spree killings are in part due to feelings of powerlessness. My motivation in life is to see people gain more power in their lives so that they can live fulfilled and successful lives. Since 2009, I have been studying power and powerlessness. In 2014, I started a nonprofit organization (Dunamis Empowerment Foundation). The purpose of Dunamis is to promote the empowerment of others.

 

Third, having nothing either motivates or debilitates. I would love to say that feelings of powerlessness motivates a person to do better and pursue excellence, but from my perspective it often makes a person give up or turn to unlawful or immoral behaviors.

 

This is a social problem. When large segments of a society feels powerless, they turn to illegal acts to "get more stuff" and to "take power" the only way they know how. Some might say that economic redistribution is the answer. However, taking from those that have and giving it to those who do not have never works. It "angers" the haves and makes the "have nots" feel entitled to their resources.

 

The solution for the pain of having nothing is empowerment. We must empower others so that they can have the power they need to be successful.

 

This is the message that I want the world to hear. We must all empower others. Society depends upon empowering others and I believe that it is God's design that we empower others.

 

Learn more about empowerment by subscribing to this blog.

 

Lean how you can empower at Dunamis' website here.

 

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