One thing I learned when I started walking closely with God is this: Before God increases your power, He often works on your character. I began to notice things in me I never knew were there. The Pride. Jealousy. Lust. The desire to retaliate. The silent discomfort when someone else was doing better than me. Nobody had to point them out. In the place of prayer, the Holy Spirit would gently expose them and say, “Deal with this.” There were times I wanted to reply to an abusive post, but the Holy Spirit would say, “Leave it.” Recently, I was praying about something and the Holy Spirit reminded me of someone at work I constantly had issues with. He told me, “You need to settle this.” I called him, apologized for my part, and told him I didn't like the way we were always at odds. The peace that followed was indescribable. Our relationship changed too. I've learned that the Holy Spirit doesn't only want to give you power; He wants to make you capable of carrying it. Character is a container for power. Sometimes, while you are praying, “Lord, use me,” God is answering by saying: “Let Me first work on you.”