We all deal with stress. It is a part of life, but have you heard about the supernatural power of grace? No, not the kind you say at the dinner table. The kind that comes from God. You've probably heard the song "Amazing Grace", right? Grace comes in many forms not just with regard to our souls and salvation.
I attended a pentocostal church for 25 years and never once heard about grace. Now that is a sad thing, so today I want to share what I have learned about grace and how it has changed my life and my perspective on dealing with difficult circumstances.
What is grace?
Grace has been defined as "God's unmerited favor". It means receiving good things even when we don't deserve them. A synonym for grace is favor and who doesn't love favor?
Grace shows us the goodness of God. It is God's way of showing us how much he loves us even when we screw up, don't know what to do, feel confused. God sends someone into our life at just the right time. We receive a gift in the mail on a day we're feeling down. We get a parking spot or something we love at the store is on sale. A difficult situation works out in our favor. God has a million ways to show us grace.
What grace is not
Grace means we don't have to live in fear of God's wrath everytime we make a mistake, do something hurtful or fail to do the right thing. Grace is related to mercy. God understands our weaknesses, our hurts and our flaws. He understands we have all been wounded in some way and why we often turn from him instead of towards him. He doesn't hold it against us nor does he hold grudges.
Grace does not mean we won't suffer the consequences of our actions and decisions, but it does mean he will help us through to the other side. He will work things out when we don't see a way. God is a god of love and mercy and grace always.
Grace shows us the goodness of God. It is God's way of showing us how much he loves us even when we screw up, don't know what to do, feel confused. God sends someone into our life at just the right time. We receive a gift in the mail on a day we're feeling down. We get a parking spot or something we love at the store is on sale. A difficult situation works out in our favor. God has a million ways to show us grace.
What grace is not
Grace means we don't have to live in fear of God's wrath everytime we make a mistake, do something hurtful or fail to do the right thing. Grace is related to mercy. God understands our weaknesses, our hurts and our flaws. He understands we have all been wounded in some way and why we often turn from him instead of towards him. He doesn't hold it against us nor does he hold grudges.
Grace does not mean we won't suffer the consequences of our actions and decisions, but it does mean he will help us through to the other side. He will work things out when we don't see a way. God is a god of love and mercy and grace always.
How to we receive it?
A lot of people have written on this question and I have pondered it myself. In my humble opinion, here is what I have come up with based on James 4:6 which says "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I think this verse is powerful.
How many times do we have to have our own way? Think we are the center of the universe and that we know it all? Life has certainly humbled me. I know I am not in control nor do I know it all. I know somethings, but no one knows everything. I have learned that there are things that I can't make happen on my own and I know that without Jesust I am nothing. Humility is a character trait God wants to instill in each of us. How many times have you boasted? About your clothes? Your looks? Your abilities? Your wealth? When have you tried to impress someone else? These are all signs of pride, which God detests and which prevent us from receiving God's grace.
When we think we know it all, I think God says "Then have at it." When we try to make things happen in our own time he says "Knock yourself out". When we try to impress others with our knowledge and experience, like the Apostle Paul says, "I count them all as filthy rags." What we humans think are important are like filthy rags in the kingdom of God. Remember why Lucifer got thrown out of heaven - pride! He thought he was better than God. But look at who is exalted in heaven - Jesus - the epitome of humility.
Quick Personal story:
I recently went on a trip to Europe. I had taken a shuttle service to get to the airport and it took the driver 90 minutes to get me there which should have been a 30 minute ride. When I went to check in my baggage, the check-in kiosk said "Check in time has passed. Please book another flight". Now you can imagine what I felt when I read that. This was an international flight booked months in advance. An airline rep rushed over, grabbed my suitcase and made a beeline for the counter where her fingers typed feverishly. She tagged my suitcase and threw it onto the conveyor belt. She called for wheelchair assistance as I had been having trouble with my knees. The guy showed up within 5 minutes, navigated me to the front of the line, thru security and straight onto the loading ramp to the plane ahead of everyone else. That - ladies and gentleman - is God's favor and grace in action.
A lot of people have written on this question and I have pondered it myself. In my humble opinion, here is what I have come up with based on James 4:6 which says "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I think this verse is powerful.
How many times do we have to have our own way? Think we are the center of the universe and that we know it all? Life has certainly humbled me. I know I am not in control nor do I know it all. I know somethings, but no one knows everything. I have learned that there are things that I can't make happen on my own and I know that without Jesust I am nothing. Humility is a character trait God wants to instill in each of us. How many times have you boasted? About your clothes? Your looks? Your abilities? Your wealth? When have you tried to impress someone else? These are all signs of pride, which God detests and which prevent us from receiving God's grace.
When we think we know it all, I think God says "Then have at it." When we try to make things happen in our own time he says "Knock yourself out". When we try to impress others with our knowledge and experience, like the Apostle Paul says, "I count them all as filthy rags." What we humans think are important are like filthy rags in the kingdom of God. Remember why Lucifer got thrown out of heaven - pride! He thought he was better than God. But look at who is exalted in heaven - Jesus - the epitome of humility.
Quick Personal story:
I recently went on a trip to Europe. I had taken a shuttle service to get to the airport and it took the driver 90 minutes to get me there which should have been a 30 minute ride. When I went to check in my baggage, the check-in kiosk said "Check in time has passed. Please book another flight". Now you can imagine what I felt when I read that. This was an international flight booked months in advance. An airline rep rushed over, grabbed my suitcase and made a beeline for the counter where her fingers typed feverishly. She tagged my suitcase and threw it onto the conveyor belt. She called for wheelchair assistance as I had been having trouble with my knees. The guy showed up within 5 minutes, navigated me to the front of the line, thru security and straight onto the loading ramp to the plane ahead of everyone else. That - ladies and gentleman - is God's favor and grace in action.
Now I could have freaked out, started yelling and insisted on having my way, but instead I stayed calm, said a prayer, and let go of control of the situation. God showed up quickly and got me on board my plane. This is only the first of many sticky situations God helped me through on that trip. A friend had sent a prayer right before I left town asking for God's grace, love, and protection during my trip and boy, did I feel all of them many times. "The fervent prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective." (James 5:16).
Friend, I hope this post has helped you to understand more about the grace of God and his never-ending love for you. We have no need to stress out or worry. All we have to do is to trust Jesus and be humble. God's grace is a free gift, available to each of us when we trust in Him.
If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". Whether you know it or not, we are all on one.
For more on a variety of topics such as diet and exercise, health and wellness, recipes, beauty, inspiration, motivation, relationships, and much more, pop on over and check out my Pinterest boards https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/boards/
Friend, I hope this post has helped you to understand more about the grace of God and his never-ending love for you. We have no need to stress out or worry. All we have to do is to trust Jesus and be humble. God's grace is a free gift, available to each of us when we trust in Him.
If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". Whether you know it or not, we are all on one.
For more on a variety of topics such as diet and exercise, health and wellness, recipes, beauty, inspiration, motivation, relationships, and much more, pop on over and check out my Pinterest boards https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/boards/
Until next time, stay tuned for more positive and practical posts on how to ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!
As always, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
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