Have you ever stopped to think about the remarkable fact that after three years of teaching and

training His followers, Jesus said they still weren’t ready? He had answered their questions,
modeled every form of ministry imaginable and walked them through the Scriptures. But it still
wasn’t enough. What they really needed was power. God’s power. There are many times in life
where we operate on our own strength. When we do this, we step out of the remarkable power
God has for us. This may not be done deliberately, but we are still operating out of self-reliance.
Self-reliance fuels doubts and fears. When we operate out of self-reliance, we are telling God
that we don’t need Him or His power. God’s power comes to us when we are surrendered,
dependent, trusting and putting our faith in Him, above all things. Whether you know it or not,
God has a special calling for your life—a calling He wants you to know and pursue. Are you
ready to unlock God’s power in your life? Here are five ways to unleash God’s presence and
power in your life.

Faith
Many of us are facing impossible situations where we need a breakthrough in our lives.
Yet, most of us sit and wait for God to make it happen, and then we wonder why it is
that we don’t experience breakthrough as often or as fast as we’d like. What we need to
know is that breakthrough is not something we sit around and wait for. Breakthrough is
God waiting on us to respond in obedience to what He has already commanded and
already promised. Breakthrough happens when we take the first step against barriers in
our life. Breakthrough happens when we say that we are going to trust that God is going
to supernaturally do what is impossible. God does the breakthrough, but He’s waiting for
us to take that first step of faith. We have to believe in God’s goodness, that God has
already willed the breakthrough for our life.

Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Heavenly Father. It is an
opportunity to become one with the Creator and Giver of all things. Prayer helps us to
find strength for today and hope for our future. We should actively pray and trust in its
power to change our circumstances for good. Your faith life directly correlates to the
quality of your prayer life. Prayer has the power to change not only the people and
things around you. Prayer also has the power to change you from the inside out. When
you’re in need of strength, remember that God is the number one healer and can guide
you in endless ways. If your heart and life are centered on God, His Word and His Holy
Spirit, you can rest assured that He will direct your path.

Surrender Yourself to God

Let go and let God work. When you surrender your life to God, you are following His lead
without knowing where He’s sending you. You’re waiting on God’s timing without knowing
when it will come. You’re expecting a miracle without knowing what God will provide. You’re
also trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances. You know you’re
surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate
others, force your agenda and control a situation. This is when you’re truly letting go and letting
God handle everything. You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you
trust more. You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to
defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You are not self-serving. You
don’t edge others out, and you don’t demand your rights. You trust in God to work through those
relationships.
Get to Know God
Jesus placed great emphasis on the Holy Spirit. He actually told the disciples it was
better for them that He leaves so they might receive the Spirit. The Bible tells us,
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away” (John 16:7).
Even in His resurrected body, Jesus can only be in one place at a time. His Spirit,
however, can be everywhere. This is why Jesus said His departure is to our advantage.
He wants all men and women to experience a relationship with Him through the
omnipresence of the Holy Spirit. And this benefit is just the top of the iceberg. The Bible
also tells us, “For I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will
send Him to you” (John 16:7). Here, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Helper. By
trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit, you are getting to know God on earth. The Spirit
is the expression of God’s inner nature.
Let God Work Through You
Jesus expected His disciples to feed the thousands of people in the crowd even though
it was impossible for them. That’s because Jesus knew that it wasn’t impossible for
God. Similarly, Jesus expected us to take on the seemingly impossible in our own lives.
Why? God expects to do impossible things in us and through us. How exactly does that
happen? First, we need to look at what we do have and then give it to God in faith.
Jesus knew the disciples didn’t have enough food to feed thousands, but He asked
them to bring to Him the small amount of food they did have – five loaves of bread and
two fish – and He supernaturally multiplied it. Similarly, God wants us to consider what
we do have. This could be our gifts, our talents, our experiences, and unique
personality. Then, He wants to us as an agent of change in whatever impossible
situation we’re facing.

The Bible tells us “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with
you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). It’s important to have faith in God when you can’t see the
way but how can you offer God praise when you’re dealing with hardship and pain? The choices
you make in these moments are so important. They can propel you toward God or away from
Him. You can find God in the hard times by choosing to trust and hope when we can’t see the
way. This will allow you to begin to release God’s presence and power in your life.