Have you ever thought, “I feel weak dealing with what is going on, whether it be grief or challenging circumstances?”
When that happens we are in an unsettling place of not being in control. We recognize we are not as strong as we would like to be. It may bring us to our knees in concern, frustration, or heartache. For me, I am often in the place of vulnerability. I plan and want to handle whatever life throws at me and I want to face life’s problems with confidence but I am aware of my powerlessness.
God specializes in our powerlessness.
Then I wonder if my weakness could be an avenue for God to be strong. At those times, we need God’s grace because we cannot do it ourselves. How do we describe grace? It can’t be touched as something tangible; however, a strength greater getting us through the situation. Dallas Willard has great definition of grace. “Divine grace is God acting in our life to accomplish what we cannot do on our own.”
Our weakness can be an avenue for God’s grace
When my sons were first diagnosed with a rare disease, I floundered like a fish out of water. I couldn’t fathom how I would make it through each moment, let alone each day. The grief and fear gripped hold of me. I could only pray, “God, help!” No other words came. The expression “flipped your lid” describes how I reacted.
Years later, I look back and realize God’s grace carried me. I could not comprehend how I got through those days except by God holding me. God’s faithfulness sustained me. Grace is God carrying you. An image of grace I like is God coming along and holding us when we don’t have the strength-God’s supernatural ability to get us through.
The Apostle Paul writes about his anguish and his pleading for God to take away his thorn in the flesh. Paul tells of God’s answer. “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).
My grace is all you need…” What a promise! We are not aware of God’s grace, but we are only aware of our weakness. However, when we reflect on those times, we become aware our strong God enabled us to endure.
God’s grace is sufficient
We can’t earn grace or explained it, it is free. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided unmerited grace. God does something in us to bring us to Christ, called grace. It is not about us, but all about God.
Do we ever pray for grace? We pray for concrete answers, a healthy baby, finances to improve, protection, a new job or healing. In addition, we can pray for grace. We can pray God to hold us amid life’s storms and losses.
It is not about us; it is about God
Annie Johnson Flint was a poet who lived in the late 1800s. After losing her parents at a young age, a loving Christian family adopted her. In her twenties, she developed arthritis, which caused her to give up a teaching position. Around the same time, she lost both of her adopted parents. The painful disease progressed; it affected her ability to walk and eventually she became an invalid, relying on others for her care. Through it all, her faith in God’s goodness and mercy did not waver. She wrote poetry with crippled hands and composed “He Giveth More Grace”. This poem became a famed hymn and voices how God gives grace out of an inexhaustible storehouse. Annie’s life evidenced God’s grace.
We can ask for God’s infinite strength, boundless mercy, and unfathomable comfort found in grace.
Free
Unmerited
Available
Accessible
Prayer:
Gracious God,
You give without asking in return. You provided a Savior for us, giving us grace freely without condition. May your grace carry us in the middle of our losses and difficult circumstances? Thank you for incomprehensible and limitless grace.
Amen
Take a moment to reflect back and identify the times God has held you with unlimited grace. Where is the evidence of God’s grace in your life? Share with us and comment.
Lyrics to song by Annie J. Flint
- He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. - When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. - Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. - His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.