So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG
Is our attitude one that says, “I won’t give up?” This can be a hard stance to take when things seem to be falling apart around us. However, we must hold fast that God is making us anew on the inside.
If there is anything that we should take away from Him daily, it is that His grace is what makes our lives possible. Thus, we should aim to learn to be more gracious with ourselves so that we can extend grace to others.
Giving grace without first receiving grace is very difficult. We must remind ourselves how we receive grace from God each day. It is through that reminder that we are able to take a step back from our hard times and refocus our energy toward the coming good times.
Can we start with the question, “where is my focus?” Is it on the grace that fills our lives because of what Christ did for us? Or are we going to allow the hard times of today consume us to the point of giving up?
Considerations for your planner:
- Is there something you have had to give up on that you did not want to? Write down what it was and how you can lean into God’s grace for more strength the next time.
A Prayer for Our Community:
God, Help us to be focused on Your grace in our lives. Let us not forget so quickly that it is the abundance of grace that You pour into our lives that allows us to live. We want to have a willingness to stick with things. Give us the strength to look toward the coming good times and not dwell on our current hard times. We love You. We thank You. Amen.
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