When I began this blog back in 2008, I called it Power Walking with Jonna because at the time fast-paced daily walks were a big part of my fitness regimen and because I knew that the only way to face the challenges of each new day is in God’s power.

Today the challenges we face call for tapping into that power more than ever.

We receive power through the Holy Spirit.

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.

Acts 1:8 (NET)

When overcome by fear, confusion, or discouragement, how do we draw on that power to face our challenges? A first step is to calm the mind and heart by remembering all the blessings and joys we have received in the past and continue to receive even amid the present crisis. Then we can call out to God in prayer with thanksgiving and confidence in His love.

Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NET)

The next step to take to increase access to overcoming power is to turn to God’s true and living Word.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (NET)

The more deeply we study God’s Word, the greater will be our resilience and strength in the face of hardship.

Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹ Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,¹⁶ and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). ¹⁸ With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and petitions for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NET)

When my sons were small, they watched a TV show called Power Rangers. This group of costumed heroes went about saving the good guys from evil. At the moment of greatest peril, they faced the enemy with the call, “Power up, Power Rangers!”

I think it is time for all of us believers to join the battle and power up.