When the life you planned takes an unforeseen turn, are you filled with fear and left to wonder if you have what it takes to persevere? Perhaps you are currently navigating unanticipated challenges, desperately trying to hang on. Do you know God’s grace is enough to ride out the unexpected? Discover how His favor can empower you to move forward with strength and confidence.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
(HEBREWS 4:16 NIV)
Understanding God’s Grace
Are you confused by God’s grace? Recently, I read When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simmons, which inspired me to delve deeper into understanding God’s grace. The meaning is more than forgiveness of our sins or the beautiful gift of salvation. Both are lovely, undeserved blessings, though the true essence is much larger and more encompassing. The Lord’s grace is mysterious, vast, and sometimes challenging to explain. Yet, it is all-encompassing and something we desperately need in unexpectedly difficult times.
It’s grace! It’s grace! God will take you where you haven’t chosen to go in order to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own. That’s glorious grace.
—Paul David Tripp
Please share your thoughts on what grace means to you in the comments. Let’s learn from each other.
Why God’s Grace is Enough
God’s grace is a generous, undeserved favor essential in unexpected times. We might try to rely on our strength, but why should we do so when God’s grace can help? #grace #strength #unexpectedseries Share on XThe Lord’s grace knows no bounds and is available to us as believers to meet every circumstance or need. However, the key is trusting He will provide even when the struggle persists.
In Christ, God’s Grace will—
- Strengthen us
- Save us
- Make us worthy
- Guide us
- Equip us
- Prepare us
- Surround us
- Comfort us
- Give us rest
“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 CSB)
What else would you add to the list?
We Don’t Deserve Grace
For those in Christ, we receive these gifts even though we don’t deserve them. How amazing is that?
Grace is God’s best idea. His decision to ravage a people by love, to rescue passionately, and to restore justly – what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus.
—Max Lucado
Jesus Paid Dearly
Although grace is free and accessible to us, it came at a steep cost to our Savior, Jesus. Sometimes, we struggle to grasp the price paid for our redemption, and that’s when we miss the real beauty of grace. As author Ruth Choe Simmons reminds us,
We may nod in agreement that God’s grace is free and that He paid dearly through His son’s life. We may even share these words with others. Yet, we might act differently, feeling compelled to repay His favor.
When We Try To Pay Back Favor
Think about it—when someone does something kind for you, is it hard to accept the gesture without feeling the need to reciprocate? Not repaying the kindness directly back is a great struggle for me.
I remember a remarkable woman doing me a favor in a time of need. I thanked her profusely and asked, “Now, what can I do for you?”
She replied, “Absolutely nothing—this was a gift.”
My uneasiness took over, and I began rattling off how I could assist her with something. Yet, she held her ground and added, “I have no doubt you will grace another with a blessing. We don’t have to make things even between us.”
Baffled, I was left to accept the gift and sit with my uncomfortable feelings of not paying back the favor. Although I was grateful for the help, I missed the joy of receiving it because I used the world’s reciprocity standards and felt lacking. Similarly, we sometimes try to earn God’s favor and repay the grace, which is impossible.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
Breaking the Cycle of Reciprocity
It’s human nature to want to give back when someone does something for us, but when it comes to God’s grace, we can never repay it or earn it. Yet, we often fall into the trap of trying to do just that. We think we can earn God’s favor if we try hard enough. But in reality, all we need to do is accept it. That’s the beauty of grace – a gift from Him that we can’t earn or repay.
Let Go of the Need to Repay
When we try to earn God’s favor, we miss out on the fullness of His grace, especially amid unexpected challenges. Imagine receiving a present and only peeking at the contents. We limit ourselves by relying on our power instead of God’s strength. We may feel unworthy to burden the Lord, but in reality, He wants to give us His grace.
You Are Loved
God’s love for us goes beyond what we can imagine. We are enough. Before the world existed, He loved us. And that love extends to His gift of grace.
So, let go of feelings of unworthiness or the need to repay. Embrace the incredible gift of grace that God so freely gives us.
The Gift of Unconditional Love
At four, I traveled with my big brother on a plane to visit our grandparents. Initially, it was exciting, but soon, I sought solace in my room, crying into my pillow in secret, ashamed and feeling like a baby.
My Auntie came to the rescue, whisking me off to her house. From the moment I set foot in her home, she wiped my tears, validated my pain, and had me giggling in no time. Her unconditional love made me feel cherished and adored.
That unconditional love never faded as I grew older. Whenever we were together or spoke on the phone, my Auntie had a way of making me feel valued and accepted for who I am. She showed me I didn’t have to earn or perform to receive her love.
My Aunt surprised me with unwavering care even when I expected her to disapprove of my choices. Her love extended to my children, and when one showed up with tattoos, she didn’t even bat an eye or sigh in disapproval. Instead, she loved them with the same unconditional love.
Her acceptance reminded me of God’s way. Even after she passed away, her love remained a testament to God’s grace. Oh, how I miss hearing her voice ring out, “How’s my girl?” and that warm feeling that would envelop my soul at the sound of her voice. After she went home to heaven, it became clear that my Auntie was a gift from the Lord to help me see I am enough, just as I am, and I don’t have to strive to be anything else.
She beautifully reflected how God sees each one of us. We are cherished treasures.
God loves us with a love that is hard to grasp, and He wants to grace us more than we can ever imagine. We can cease our striving to repay or earn our worth.. #grace #love Share on XGod’s Grace is Enough to Ride Out the Unexpected
In life, we often face unexpected challenges that can cause us to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. In these moments, we must anchor ourselves in the Lord; trusting His grace is enough to see us through and allow us to ride out the unexpected.
What does it truly mean to rely on God’s grace? It means letting go of our striving and instead fixing our eyes on Him, listening for His guidance. Jesus may ask us to pivot, rest, or boldly forge forward, and we will do this knowing His grace will sustain us.
“Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2 NLV)
How has God’s grace helped you ride out the unexpected? I would love to hear your story and how God showed up for you. And if you need an extra dose of His grace this week, know that I would be honored to pray for you. Let us continue to look to Jesus, the source of our strength and hope.
Photos above by Maria Orlova: https://www.pexels.com/
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