Power.

                            

True power, which comes from self-empowerment, is generous, gracious, constructive, and creative.

It is related to self-love - the capacity to love oneself.

Such a person does not try to dominate others, nor does he retaliate, or use power destructively.

These things are essentially the result of deep fears and insecurities - the person must prove to others that he is strong and powerful precisely because he doubts in himself that he is and fears being dominated or hurt.

In effect he fears his own vulnerability.

But an open heart is always vulnerable.
We cannot open ourselves to others without exposing our vulnerability.

This requires trust.
 
If we close our hearts and protect ourselves with ramparts and towers we can never be close to another, whether we are married or not.

Trust is an essential component of faith.

God is trustworthy.

If we open our hearts to God He will return our love.

In this way God heals our broken hearts.

Our experiences in the world cause us to defend our vulnerable selves.
But by doing so we shut ourselves in a prison of our own making.

Love can set us free.

If we overcome our fears and open ourselves to God and to others our love is liberated and we are free to love.

This is true power.


Photo Credit: charles15mathis Flickr via Compfight cc