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Tag Archives: grace

When we are weak, we are strong

1 / 22 / 191 / 22 / 19

“Arthritis,” the doctor said with a sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry,” I said with a nervous laugh. “I thought you said I have arthritis.”

“I did,” she said.

Wait. Arthritis? That is something that only happens to people (insert cough here) older than me. This can’t be the right diagnosis.  Maybe I twisted my knee and need to wear a brace for a few weeks. Then I will be good as new.

But the doctor was right. I have arthritis in my knee. And it hurts. I always pictured arthritis to be a dull pain in the muscles of the body.  Nope. It’s actually pain coming from the joints. And it’s painful.  Did I mention that?

The doctor explained that there is not much that can be done. The pain will come and go. It can could be triggered with changes in the weather, too much activity or not enough. It can also act up when sitting. Or standing. Or walking up stairs. Pretty much anytime.

I did some research and found an “Arthritis Index” on the Internet. It predicts pain levels that may be experienced based on the local weather.

I’m not sure how accurate this tool is but it’s an interesting concept.

What if we had a “life indicator” that would tell us when times of suffering will head our way?  We could head those trials off and stop them in their tracks. No more worrying, only strategic planning to keep ourselves free from personal or physical pain.

Wouldn’t that be great?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Well, no.

 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 – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Paul was going through a season of affliction and asked God to take it away. But God did not.

There are two things we can learn from this:

  1. It is through trials that we find God’s grace.
  2. It is through trials that we learn to lean on God for his strength.

God’s grace and strength are what we need most.

Here are a few verses to help us when walking through personal or physical pain.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

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When we create our own burdens

1 / 2 / 191 / 2 / 19
Ephesians 2: 8-9

We all have burdens to carry. Some are heavy. Some are not as heavy.

But some burdens are literal.  Like the time I decided to purchase 50 pounds of peaches from Georgia.  Being from Pennsylvania, we don’t get a treat like this often, and when I learned the peaches were being sold in a town near me, I made it my mission to purchase two boxes.

I did not realize that each box would weigh twenty five pounds. Actually, I did know that. It just didn’t register in my brain until they were placed in my outstretched arms.

Once they were in my possession, I had to walk three blocks, up a hill, to my car. With each step, the weight of the boxes became heavier.

I took twenty steps and stopped, looking for a place to set the boxes down. There wasn’t any.

I took another twenty steps and stopped again. I looked up the hill for my car. It seemed so far away. I sighed and continued walking.

I came to a crosswalk and waited to cross the street. My failing arms screamed in agony. If only I had an Aaron and Hur to hold my arms up like they did for Moses during war with the Amalekites.

Then I looked up to the sky and asked God for help. 

Instantly, the clouds parted, voices of angels sang in my ears, and I heard a voice. It was deep and strong. It was God. He was speaking to me.

Ok, it didn’t happen exactly like that.  But I did hear a voice and it was instant. It was a man walking towards me from across the street. “Can I help you with those?” he asked.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Relief washed over me as he took the boxes. My arms were numb but relieved. The stranger graciously carried them to my car. I thanked him and waved as he headed off to buy his own peaches.

When I asked for help from God that morning, I did not believe than he would help. It’s not because of a lack of faith. It was because I didn’t feel I deserved his help.

Here I was standing in the morning, summer heat carrying more weight than I could handle. It was my own fault. I chose to purchase the peaches knowing how much they weighed. And I chose to park my car far away. I got myself into this mess and had to take all the credit for my predicament.

I did not think God would be interested in helping someone whose burden was of her own doing and so small compared to others who carried much heavier ones.

But he did.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 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. – Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)

We see God’s grace in action when he led the Israelites into the Promised Land.  He did not do it because they deserved it. They complained and worshiped false gods, yet God fed, protected, and led them to the land he promised Abraham. All because of His grace.

Jesus knows our struggles and failures, both big and small. And it is through him that God’s grace is given to us.

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God’s grace is free

11 / 18 / 1512 / 16 / 15

Proverbs 29:11 The glaring red light mocked me. I could hear its unpleasant laugh as I stared at it. I only had one short mile to travel, yet managed to approach every street light at the exact time they turned red.

Earlier a friend I had not seen in a few weeks called to say she would be at my house by six that evening. I had plenty of time to run to the grocery store after work. Or so I thought.

I arrived at the store frustrated with the delay but thought I could make up the time with a quick sweep of the store. I headed to the deli and was relieved to find a short line. I took a number and awaited my turn.

My irritation grew as the short wait turned into fifteen minutes due to mechanical failure of the equipment used to slice meat.

I watched as time quickly moved forward. I pictured my friend sitting in her car outside of my home wondering if I had forgotten about her.

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