*** As I lay down on the couch, feeling extremely ill, my mind begins to race with ALL the things I am not able to get done. I wish I could cook more and clean more, but I physically can not do it without feeling worst.
At this point, I am starting to feel bad about myself.
After thinking those thoughts, I immediately get struck in my heart by the holy spirit with this word: Grace! ***
God gives us grace all ALL THE TIME.
So why can't we do the same for ourselves?
What is Grace?
In Christianity, grace can be defined as "the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God".
God's grace starts with: Jesus.
When God created humans, we were made with the ability to think for ourselves.
We can create our own thoughts and make our own plans and decisions.
This is free will.
"A man's mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them." - Proverbs 16:9 AMP
When we make our own decisions, sometimes we choose ways of life that are not good for us (not holy).
God is holy and can only dwell around in holiness.
To take the place of our unholy ways is Jesus.
God chose Jesus to be the physical representation to take the place of our sins (mistakes and unholy decisions).
When we sin and ask forgiveness, God no longer sees our sins.
God sees Jesus!
This is Grace!
Grace is not earned (by our works or actions); God freely gives his grace to us through Jesus.
"For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]."
- Ephesians 2: 8-9 AMP
This means that God's grace is in our salvation and in our daily lives.
Every step you take throughout your day, in every action or no action taken, God's grace covers it.
Grace is God's love, forgiveness and favor (approval).
No matter what you do or do not do, God still loves you.
When you ask for forgiveness, God forgives you.
When you strive to live better, God favors you.
(A true Christian tries to do good and live better [live by God's commandments], not continuously sin without a repentant heart [feel and express regret].)
When you can accept God's grace, it can become easier to give yourself grace.
When you give yourself grace, this equates to you giving yourself love, kindness, peace, joy and forgiveness.
*** So in my case, instead of thinking negative thoughts about myself, I should have been more loving toward myself and know that I have no control over what my body feels like right now. All I can do is rest, try ways to relieve my body of pain and ask God to heal me. These are positive thoughts and actions of Grace toward myself. ***
We are not above God.
If God gives us grace, we need to do the same for ourselves.
Why You Should Give Yourself Grace
God is infinite.
There is nothing that He cannot do.
Humans are limited.
This means you cannot do everything.
This means you will make mistakes and fall short.
This means your body will need times of rest and breaks.
This is why you should give yourself GRACE!
We can only do what we are able to with God. God gives us the power to that and more.
2020 has been tough for a lot of people.
Many people have gone through different struggles such as sickness, deaths, job loss, financial and family changes and more.
If you have made it through this year and any other struggles in your life, thank God and pat yourself on the back!
You made it and you are still standing.
Give yourself some grace for any mistakes or shortcomings.
Forgive you, love you and be kind to you!!
Sometimes you may feel like you are not doing enough and you are behind in all these "life goals"... I am here to tell you that you are not behind!!
You are exactly where you need to be for God to come in, help you and give you a miracle.
The essence of God is grace, love, kindness, forgiveness, patience...
God is patiently waiting for you to call on him and walk with him daily starting exactly where you are!
Grace Begins Here!
Grace begins every single day of your life!
God wants us to plan well, but also adapt to change.
This works best when we focus on the day ahead; not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34 AMP
Focusing on today gives you the ability to fully immerse yourself in whatever you are doing or not doing. This helps you to make better decisions for yourself and others.
If you need to rest, then rest.
If you can work, then work.
If you need to be there for a loved one, try to do so.
But always remember, you can not do it all!
Only God can do it all.
When you remember this, that is grace.
Now, this is not an excuse to be lazy, but that also does not give us an excuse to over work ourselves either.
We work as unto the lord, not at risk of our health, not at risk of our sabbath, not at risk of our time with God, and not at risk of our family time.
Work is important to God, but all of the other components in our lives are important to God as well.
Our daily walk with God is important because he will let us know what to do and what not to do.
Certain seasons may require more work.
Some seasons we may be resting.
Sometimes we make mistakes.
All of this need some grace: grace from God and grace for ourselves.
Being grateful, having inner joy, inner peace and letting things go, this is also Grace.
"Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." - 2 Peter 1:2 AMP
Grace for Everyone
When we accept God's grace and grace for ourselves, then we can give grace to others.
If someone makes a mistake or bad decision, that does not make them any less of a human being.
That does not change how God sees them or who God has called them to be.
You should remember this if you ever want to stop giving grace to others.
Our mistakes makes us human. It makes us ALL the same.
Your Grace should extend to your family, co-workers, friends, spouse, kids... to ALL.
Grace has been given by God to all his children.
"For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]." - John 1:16 AMP
I really hope this post blesses you.
Here is a prayer for more GRACE:
Lord, I just want to thank you.
Thank you for your grace. Thank you for forgiving me when I make mistakes and fall short. Help me to see myself and others the way you see us. Help me to give myself more grace. Help me to give others more grace.
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