5 Keys to Restoring Lost Power

In the book of 2 Kings there is an interesting story that teaches us a lesson in leadership and trusting the power of God to help us in times of trouble.

It was a time of growth and in 2 Kings 6:1-7 we read how the guild of prophets came to Elisha and told him they had outgrown the place where they meet. A growing work always brings the challenge of having facilities to accommodate the increase.

Elisha gives them the go-ahead to cut down some trees and build a bigger venue. These men are not construction workers but prophets and so they end up borrowing the tools to get the job down. In those days an axe head was a rare and precious tool. In the process of cutting down the trees along the banks of the Jordan river, one of the axe heads falls into the murky waters of the river. In great distress, he tells Elisha the problem of not only losing the precious axe head, but also that it was borrowed.

Elisha was a man of faith who understood the laws of the spiritual realm can override the natural laws. By faith he throws a stick into the river where the axe head fell and God’s power raises the axe head to the surface of the water allowing the prophet to retrieve it.

There are times in our life where we may feel like, for whatever reason, we have lost the power we need to get the task done. We understand that the power we have is a gift from God, but it seems lost and without the sharp cutting edge of the axe we will never complete the task.

From this story we can learn these five keys to restoring power when it seems lost:

1. The more you do, the greater the chance for failure.

There was a failure here, but it happened because this guild of prophets where willing to take a risk, so they could keep growing.

Failure can be placed into two categories: those who thought and never did and those who did and never thought. Perhaps more thought could have been given to preparing the tools for the job or taking more care in where they fell the trees. But our concern should not be whether we have failed, but whether we are content with our failure. They could have called it quits but they looked for a solution to complete the vision.

As Henry Ford once said “Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently”

2. Admit you have got a problem.

In speaking about failure and the problems we encounter in life, John Maxwell commented: “People fail in direct proportion to their willingness to accept excuses for their failure”.

The prophet who lost the axe head did not make excuses, but accepted responsibility and went for help. If you want to experience the power of God to lift you out of your problem, you must admit you have a problem. Pride will keep you from reaching out, and if you let pride persist your axe head will stay at the bottom of the murky river.

It is important we get honest with God. Jesus taught that God looks for those who worship (commune with Him) in Spirit and in truth. To see God supernaturally move in our lives, from our heart we must communicate to Him the challenges we face and ask for His intervention. God will give grace (His supernatural ability and favor) to the humble but He opposes the proud.

3. Go back to the root of source of your problem.

Elisha asked the man who had lost the axe head, “Where did it fall?” Where did you lose your power? What crept into your life that is taking away your edge to cut through the challenges you are facing?

Very often there is a root of some kind that has dulled our spiritual power, so we can no longer accomplish the task in front of us. It may be a root of unforgiveness or pride that has developed. Perhaps it is jealousy or an issue of lust. The Holy Spirit will take back to the place where you lost your power and grant you the strength to overcome whatever issue it is in order that His power can be restored in your life.

4. Apply the wood (the cross) to the problem.

The wooden stick that Elisha through into the Jordan represents the cross of Jesus. As we read in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

We all face problems in life, we don’t do everything perfect, we make mistakes and we need God’s saving power to rescue us in order to keep going. God is aware of our humanity and our weaknesses. In these moments, you can call upon the power that comes through Jesus who took our sins upon Himself. His death and resurrection places us in a position or righteousness which allows God’s power to be released.

When you have a problem, go back and reflect on the cross remembering the amazing love God has for you.

5. Expect a miracle!

After Elisha through the piece of wood into the river the axe head floated to the surface. At this point he instructs the prophet “Pick it up yourself.” The last key to restoring the power he had lost was the prophet had to expect a miracle and act himself. Had he doubted and second-guessed Elisha, his power to complete the task would not have been realized.

As you grow in leadership and purpose to accomplish all that God has for you there will be risks you need to take. In doing this you will face problems, but be assured God’s power is available to help give you the edge you need.