We lost power in Leachville for a day and a half in last month's storm. (This goes back to the power outage the SECOND week of August, not the flooding event the THIRD week of August. Quite a month!) We lost it overnight on a Monday and got it back at 7:00 pm on Wednesday. Hooray for AEP, but those thirty-six hours felt long! While we were down, we had three power-generating options available to us. A power brick for phones and such, a portable power station we've used camping, and our generator. With those three resources, we got by and had all the power we needed.

In 2 Corinthians 1:19–22, Paul wrote:

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Every Christian has all the resources of the Christian life available to them at all times. I do, you do, we all do. What does that include? At least these five things:

• Gospel-grace in Jesus today. All of the grace, mercy, and kindness of God for us that we have because we belong to Jesus.
• God's Holy Spirit in our hearts, sealing us and guaranteeing (like a down payment) future grace and glory with Him.
• Habits of discipleship, including "the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life such as a daily quiet time, Bible study, prayer, attendance at church, fellowship with other believers—every activity that helps us grow spiritually. I would also include worship of God and obedience to Him. Finally, we should include service or ministry—evangelism, discipling others, and using our spiritual gifts in the body of Christ." - Jerry Bridges
• Life shared with God's people, bearing burdens and praying with and for one another.
• Refined relationship with God that deepens over time from growing in grace as we participate in the previous four.

For those keeping score at home, that's two things we have from God, two things we do or contribute as we follow Jesus, and one resulting reality.

There is a resource, gift from God, or action to take to "find power" in every circumstance. Every issue or problem in life is included; nothing is excepted. The downpour of "I feel the beauty, grace, and power of God in this - YAY!" may be right overhead or miles off; it doesn't matter. There's a resource, gift, or action to take that can meet every moment. Often it's prayer; sometimes it's worship, maybe it's obedience, at times it might be "serve someone." It could be "pick up your Bible," sing along with your favorite worship songs, trust Him from the heart, or trust Him through specific actions of devotion. And by the way: it could be super-hard, and sometimes it will be. But we are never alone, never forsaken, and we can always take one step forward towards or with Jesus and the Spirit in any circumstance.

Maybe if you've read this far, that's good enough news for you to smile or sigh in relief that "God's got this" and "God's got you". The power might go out in your world in some important way today or tomorrow, but there's a path forward for you in every circumstance. There's a resource you can find or use to walk with and be with Jesus in the midst of it. All of the promises of God find their "Yes" in Jesus - and we're in Him! God establishes us in Christ and has anointed, sealed, and guaranteed us by giving us His Spirit. Not just Paul and the super-saints, but you and me too! And that's great news.

That was something I was thankful to be reminded of last month. Maybe it can benefit you too.