grace for this life.
Summertime means camp time and I just returned from an amazing week in Mariana, FL with my youth group! I seriously can’t stop thinking about all the Lord did this past week. He moved in so many ways through the hearts of many kids, and He taught me new things! Two of my best friends came to put their faith in Jesus and I watched as other kids got baptized in the lake! Praise God for His goodness!
As I write this, I am reflecting on the answered prayers that came out of this week. The Lord taught me two important lessons from the prayers of those around me. Today, I will share part one with you!
Give yourself grace.
The enemy definitely wanted to take all joy away from me the week of camp. I often found my mind racing back to things I did two days prior and five years ago! I would be hit with a wave of shame, embarrassment, and a lack of self-confidence for moments I did that I doubt others even remember!
Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Looking back on your past years, embarrassed for what you did, ashamed of the person you were in the moment?
This is all a tactic of the enemy. He wants to condemn you for your words or actions, making you feel like the worst person in the world. Condemnation is the enemy continually reminding you of what you said or did days or years ago. My youth leader says it is the enemy saying we are defined by our sin. Annoying, right? He doesn’t want you to forget it, but God already has.
The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He keeps no record of wrongs, forgives you of your sins, and gives new mercies every morning!
Our God convicts us. Conviction is the Lord showing you something, teaching you a lesson, while reminding you of the blood of Jesus poured out on the cross to take away your sins! It’s rooted in love. It’s God showing you that their is something better!
We, as humans in this sinful world, must continuously give ourselves grace for this journey called life. Grace is a beautiful thing that Jesus gives us daily. God's grace is often defined as undeserved favor. It is freely given, something we cannot earn.(1)
God continues to pour out His grace on us. We have all fallen, and are going to continue to fall, short of the glory of God, slipping up in one way or another (Romans 3:23). That’s when we must remind ourselves that His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Remind yourself that you are human. Give yourself grace for that moment you accidentally lashed out at your friend. Give yourself grace for that moment you said something without thinking. Give yourself grace when you feel like what you did was “embarrassing”. Give yourself grace for the moment you answered the question wrong in class. Give yourself grace daily.
I recently listened to an episode of the Whoa That’s Good podcast, and as they talked about something I'm not even close to experiencing, motherhood, they said something that I think can apply to us all. “It’s crazy how everyone else gives you the grace that you should give yourself.”
Think about the people in your life. They probably don’t even remember the scenario playing around in your head from 7 years ago, right?
Give grace daily, apologize where needed, and remember: Jesus loves you.
(1) compassion.com
