Monday, May 20, 2013

All Sufficient Grace

I have struggled for years with health issues.  Yes, it is frequently tempting and more to run headlong into a drippy pity party.  However much it is tempting, this would not be a reaction that would honor my Lord and Savior.  Now, don't misunderstand.  I am not some great spiritual guru, nor am I a particularly saintly person.  I struggle sometimes daily with depression, frustration, hopelessness and defeat.

Now, I know that my struggles are not unusual or unique in any way.  I know people that have greater physical problems than myself, but I also know that God has put me in this situation for a reason.  I am not uniquely gifted or extraordinarily capable to deal with this situation.  However, God has taught me a great deal about myself and about His amazing grace, provision and strength.   Without these I would not have made it to this point in my life.  Even on the days when I have to take just a minute at a time, He is always there to give me the strength and grace to make it through that minute, and then on to the next, and the next.

Our Father has so much love for His children and He is not blind to our troubles and hurts.  After all if He knows the number of hairs on our heads, surely he knows the grief and cares of our hearts.

One of the greatest tools that God has given us, in addition to the Bible, to help us through these times is our local churches and Christian brothers and sisters.  Whether our help comes from participating in your regular services or from the fellowship with fellow members, your local church is a recourse that cannot be too highly regarded.  If your church is like mine, your fellow members are kind and caring and a huge source of encouragement.  I believe that this is part of God's purpose for the local church.

So if you have a friend that you haven't seen  as much as you would like, remember that there may be trials in his or her life that are too personal or painful to share.  Remember that you could be the one that they need encouragement from today.  You can be either a help or a hindrance to others, so let us all endeavor to be the caring person that God would have us to be and offer a word of encouragement where we can.


So on the days when I am really dragging, emotionally or physically, I have learned to lean on the only One who can  give me the strength and grace to make each and every day one to be lived with joy.  Yes, there are still days when I stumble and fall on my face, but my Savior is there to pick me up and set me on my feet again.  So don't give up.  Don't give in to the fear or the feelings.  Do live each day to the fullest!  May God bless you richly and help you to see them too.  And may we all remember to lift up those around us every chance that we are given.




By the way, all of the pictures here were taken by me.  I have not used my blog name on them so that if you want to print and use them in your decorating scheme you can.  I hope that you enjoy them.


36 comments:

  1. Hi Lois,

    Please place a link to Blue Monday on your post so that others can find us. Then return to link in again with Mr. Linky. You can find the code when you click on the blue bird located in my sidebar.

    http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

    Sally

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely post, Lois! These days it is so easy to look around and see all the pain and suffering and think "Where is God?" But as you say God puts us in these situations for a reason -- without pain and struggle and strife there would be no reason for us to turn to Him... there would be no need for salvation and grace. :)

    Visiting from Teach Me Tuesdays :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for those words of encouragement! It reminds me I have a friend I need to go and visit. Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Lois, lovely post, I'm visiting from Time-warp wife's bloghop and so glad I did.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  5. Thank you for your encouraging post, Lois. Your pictures with scripture are lovely. I hope you will add a link back to my HOME party so that your visitors may find their way there. Thank you and have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. This is such an encouraging post and your pictures are lovely. It is so true that we never really know what other people are going through as some people keep things private and don't share, or don't like to complain or whatever. But we can lift and encourage one another with the same encouragement that the Lord has given us!

    Thanks so much for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing Monday!"

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  7. I have a chronic disease and I can relate to your words. Thank you for the encouragement and insight. Have a blessed weekend!

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  8. What an encouraging post! Your photos are lovely and the scripture is uplifting! Thanks for joining Diann and I at TTF!

    Linda

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