Grace

     The grace of God has always been a somewhat abstract idea to me throughout my life. In high school and even somewhat in college, it was something I heard people talk about but never remember experiencing. It just wasn’t something ever on my radar. I remember in college praying for peace about things, and praying for specific things, but never asking for grace. My prayers have changed. 

    As we grow, physically, emotionally and spiritually, we need new things. Physically, we outgrow clothes, we come to need different foods, etc (1 Cor. 13:11) ; Emotionally we find we need support, from friends and family; and spiritually,  we grow into new needs as well. And perhaps not so much that the need for them is new, as much as the realization of it. As I grow, and strive to become more like Christ, I am incredibly more aware of my failings and of just how far I am from the mark, I am more and more aware of my need for His mercy, strength and grace. For it is by HIS grace we are not consumed by our all encompassing failures. I have been reading 2 Corinthians this week, and have related myself with Paul in chapter 12:7-10 :

  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

    While I could never, in a million years, compare my own spiritual life with that of the Apostle Paul, I am able to appreciate just how transparent he is in this passage. We all have spiritual failures. We all miss the mark, but by GOD’S AMAZING GRACE we are able to receive strength from the Lord to continue. When our failings overwhelm us, in that weakness, we are made strong. 

    This week was a somewhat emotional one for me. I had a lot of personal feelings getting in the way of what I was working on and trying to work through, and come to the end of the week I just felt completely overwhelmed and emotionally drained of all resources (Hence I am late in getting to writing this). I knew that I was not going to get through this last weekend without some serious help from the Lord. The only thing I could verbalize to God was my need for grace. I was out of emotional strength and soundness of mind, but I was reminded that: 

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a SOUND MIND. 

2 Tim. 1:7

God already gave you all the grace you need to get through what you are going through. He gave you all the strength you need, your sound mind is something you can claim! Even last night as I was coming to the end of what proved to be an emotional day, God brought people into my life to strengthen and encourage me. Through their kindness, I saw the love of Christ and felt the Lord strengthening my spirit and reminding me that HE is enough.