His Grace is Enough

I was overwhelmed…overcome by grief. Can I be honest? This season was already difficult. I had already chosen to walk by faith…to do something that is far beyond my own abilities. But when I said yes, I didn’t know I would have to face all of this. I didn’t know that at the same time, I would suffer from infirmities that literally go against my ability to do what God has called me to do.

I found myself in a place of sorrow and confusion, as I tried to come to terms with the current state of my life. Because although I have proclaimed God’s promise of healing over my body, I must wait for His perfect timing. I must trust that He is good, even though I don’t understand.

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord ’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord ? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. (Psalms 18:30-32 NLT)

God’s way is perfect, and He makes my way perfect.

That means that there is no way that all of this happened by chance. You see, the call of the Lord led me here…to this exact place. I may be surprised. I may be confused. But make no mistake…God is not. And as hard as it was for me to swallow this truth…I also found peace in it.

I found peace in knowing that I am not alone. I found peace in knowing that, because God called me…He absolutely has a plan to enable me.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:12-13)

For years I have prayed the last part of this passage over myself– “Lord, give me the desire and the power to do what pleases you.” But right now, I mean it even more. I need the Lord to give me the passion to be obedient, even when I don’t feel well. I need Him to give me the power to do His will, because sometimes it feels like I physically can’t.

These last few weeks I’ve been suffering from unbearable pain. One day I found myself in tears because it’s not just any kind of pain. Like I told my husband, it feels like a tormenting pain…like I am being punished.

“Did I do something wrong, God? Why is this happening to me and why haven’t you healed me from this?”

I want to rewind for a second. I’ve been dealing with this particular infirmity off and on for about a decade, but I hadn’t experienced any issues in the last couple of years. I thought I was finally healed from this. I thought I could finally move on with my life. But this time, the pain is far worse, and it has gone on for longer that it ever has before.

So, my question is, “Why now, God? Why in this season?”

As I was preparing to write this week’s blog, the Holy Spirit brought Paul’s story to mind.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV)

I will never know the nature of Paul’s thorn. I will never know what he was tormented with. All I know is that God told him “no”…and that no was for a purpose.

God wanted Paul to understand that he could not walk in purpose based on his own skills or talent. No, Paul needed God with every part of his being…and so do I.

The more I walk in purpose, the more I understand just how much I need the grace of God. You see, right now…I am weak. But because of my weakness…He has an opportunity to shine His strength. And that is a strength that I so desperately need in my life.

God’s grace is enough.

His grace is enough for me. His grace is all that I need to do what He’s called me to do, and my walk of faith is proof of that. But that’s not all…

God’s grace is enough for you.

His grace is enough for you to walk in purpose, even when you feel inadequate.

His grace is enough for you to be a great parent, even when you have no idea what you are doing.

His grace is enough for you to be the best husband or wife that you can be, even when you feel your spouse doesn’t deserve it.

His grace is enough to enable you to walk by faith, even when you have no idea how the situation will work out.

I can’t possibly know the details of your situation, but from experience…I can tell you that His grace is enough.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

You can do all things through Christ.

I know you've probably heard this verse a million times. Maybe you’ve even spoken it over yourself in the past. Well today, I want you to really take it in. Whatever God has called you to do…whether it be a husband or wife, whether it be a parent, whether it be a minister, whether it be His light in another field…you can do all those things because it is Him who will give you the strength that you need.

Your strength comes from the Lord.

Never forget that. You don’t have to rely on your own talent; your strength comes from the Lord. You don’t have to rely on your own wisdom; your strength comes from the Lord. You don’t have to rely on your own resources; your strength comes from the Lord. You don’t even have to rely on the health of your own body, because your strength comes from the Lord.

As long as you look to Him, and as long as you rely on His strength, you will be able to do everything that He has called you to do. Rely on Him. Have faith in Him. And watch His grace work in your life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your unwavering, unmerited grace. Today, I have been reminded that all I need is you, God. I don’t have to rely on my imperfect self, because I can rely on my perfect father. You God, are all that I need. All I need is your strength. All I need is your favor. All I need is your provision. All I need is your wisdom. With you on my side, I can do all things. So today, I have decided that I will seek to do everything that you have called me to do. And I know that as I continue to walk by faith, you will do the rest. I love you, Father. In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah, I pray. Amen.