Trusting God does not look one ay be called to surrender something/one taking up their time, energy, and attention in order to see and hear from God with clarity. In other words, someone may be called to give up idolatry. Someone else may be asked to forgive an offense where the offender hasn’t apologized. Whether out of ignorance or immaturity the offender has not said, “I was wrong.” Some of us may be called to forsake envy. Others may be called to patience with the Lord, trusting Him for x, y, and z. Some of us are being called to steadfastness. However the Lord is leading you to deeper trust, it can be challenging. But it is for our good.
Personally, I feel as though God is calling me to discipline and steadfastness. I am often reminded of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church where he tells them about the thorn in his side; he pled with the Lord for what I always interpreted as mercy. The Lord’s response was grace. Paul then in turn writes that he delights in hardship, persecution, suffering, and insults, because “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). I have not made it this far yet. There is nothing wrong with asking God to be merciful as He is merciful (Exodus 34:6), but He is also the God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10). Grace is more than favor; its strength. God makes us strong in our weakenesses, He does not leave us where we are.
I find it difficult to accept sometimes that He would rather make me stronger and develop my character. This is easier to type and read than to live out. Hardship and suffering can be unbearable, betrayal and disappointment sting, but He graces us with strength to get through these things. What gives me hope is upon reading this verse for the umpteenth time in my life, I realized the Lord never told Paul, “No,” He encourages Paul instead. How can we endure the things we go through? It’s not because God will never put more on us than we can bear—that is a lie from hell—it is because Christ is our strength. His grace is evident when we are at our weakest. You and I both know we did not make it this far because of our intellect, looks, charm, networking, or our own strength. We made it this far because God’s grace is what gets us through each and every single day of our lives.
God’s grace does not mean life gets easier, it means we can make it. It means whatever is against us does not have to have power over us. This is something i have to remind myself of daily. I am encouraged that the Lord does not tell us “no” regarding to healing. He graces us in the midst of our brokenness and infirmities. There will come a day when we will not have to bear all of life’s letdowns, but until then we are graced with a favor and a strength that only comes from above. You will make it through this week because He has His hands on you.
Until next time, continue to stay guided by grace,
Tra
Guided by Grace 