Finding Grace in the Hard Times
I was scrolling through social media the other day when I received an alert that a journalist was interviewing an author about her latest book and the life issues she had experienced during 2020. As I listened, I noticed there were plenty of supportive, encouraging comments, but I was also taken aback by the number of mean-spirited and rude remarks from those sitting behind the computer screen. They listened, judged, and spewed hate. After a few minutes of reading those shameful comments, I stopped. I thought, “What am I doing? Why am I reading these toxic messages? Where did our grace go?”
It seems, at least to some degree, that we have become a people who need to feel relevant through our opinions and hateful remarks.
God’s Word tells us in Hebrews 4:16, “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.”
While those ugly comments made my head hurt, I kept thinking how easy it had become to speak harsh, painful words to people, to smear their name, to criticize, to tell lies, and to create unnecessary drama, all of which diminish our Christ-likeness. I often wonder where we’ve gone wrong? When did our flesh-like actions become acceptable and excused? Where did our grace go?
Live Like Jesus
Seeking Jesus daily and praying to be more like Him helps us to see more clearly that others matter. Showing His love, mercy, and kindness should be our response every single time–even when it’s difficult.
Tweet ThisI shudder to think about the number of times that I have messed up and God showered me with His grace anyway. When I lose my cool or speak sharply to my family, He reminds me that I am blessed to have each of them. And when I choose to question Him or wonder why something turned out differently than I wanted, He shows me His plans are better. That is ultimate grace.
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:9
Grow in Grace
If we are to grow in grace, then we must walk in the way Christ walks. We must let go of past wrongs. We must refrain from hurting one another through words and actions. And we must think about who and what, is important in the grand scheme of things.
None of us is perfect, but aspiring to live like Jesus brings peace, grace, and true happiness. When we seek His face and live by His Word, then we don’t have to wonder, ‘where did our grace go?’
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many times that You have granted me grace beyond what I deserved. Give me godly wisdom and sufficient grace to navigate this life journey. Help me to seek You daily, to walk in Your Ways, and to love just like You. Amen.
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