The thought often crosses my mind when I hear about someone who is fighting a devastating disease, navigating an arduous season of care-giving or reeling from a sudden tragic loss.
I can’t imagine facing something like that. I don’t think I could do it.
Maybe you have had similar thoughts. We look at others, admire their tenacity and faith in the midst of trials, and think if that happened to us, we’d be toast.
First of all, if there was ever a situation when comparisons are completely unhelpful, this is it. Second, my guess is that if these brave souls were in our shoes, they would feel exactly the same way.
The truth of the matter is that it’s very possible our current selves wouldn’t be able to do it. That should not surprise us, though, nor should it discourage us.
We can do our best to practice the spiritual disciplines and stay in shape spiritually. But when desperate times come, as they surely will, we often need more.
More grace, more mercy, more peace, more wisdom, more strength.
And God is faithful to give it. Not in advance of when we need it, but just in time.
I look back on the not-so-distant past and wonder how on earth I made it through what could easily be characterized as the hardest season of my life, to date. It seems overwhelming, and it was. I survived, but not because of my own power or strength, and certainly not because of my own great faith.
It was Jesus, as the song says.
What I’m getting at is this. Let’s not look at other people who seem to be walking through great trials with strength and peace and get discouraged thinking that we would never be able to get through that—certainly not as gracefully as them.
What they are experiencing is their trial, their journey, their story. God is giving them—not us—what they need for it.
More importantly, when you’re in the middle of a hard season, know that God is with you and is strengthening you. You may not feel Him now, but my guess is that some day, you will be able to look back and see that He carried you. Not in some cliché, inspirational-plaque kind of way, but in a tangible way that leaves room for no other explanation.
He gives strength for today, which enables us to have hope for tomorrow.
♥ Lois
When we need more grace, more mercy, more peace, more wisdom or more strength, God is faithful to give it. Not in advance, but just in time. Click To Tweet God gives us strength for today, which enables us to have hope for tomorrow. Click To TweetP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Inspire Me Monday, and Grace & Truth.
28 comments
So thankful that He “giveth more grace” and that He strengthens, encourages and enables us. Not only “how” we need it but exactly “when” we need it. What a personal Heavenly Father we have!!
Amen to that, Jennifer! So good to hear from you this week, my friend.
I got to experience this this week in a small way, Lois. Thank you for the needed and precious reminder that He gives us the strength we need when we need it!
I’m glad the reminder was timely, Bethany. I hope you and Matt are doing well!
I love that – “God gives us strength for today, which enables us to have hope for tomorrow.” Amen!
It’s a phrase that repeats a lot in my mind to, Brie. Good to hear from you this week!
Lois,
I am great at dreaming up “what if” situations and then I become frightened or dismayed because I know I’d never make it through on my own. God doesn’t give us grace in our imaginings, but only in the very moment we need it. He has always proved faithful in my seasons of suffering and I know He’ll be there in the future. Thanks for the reminder!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I had never looked at like that before, but you’re right … “God doesn’t give us grace in our imaginings.” I may have been able to avoid a lot of anxiety in earlier years if I had grasped that sooner! I’m with you, though … God has been faithful in past hard seasons and that has built more faith for future ones. Hugs, friend.
Elisabeth Elliot often said that people would tell her, “I couldn’t go through what you did.” She’d tell them, “God hasn’t called you to go through what I did.” But He does give grace for what He does call us to go through–when we need it, not when we worry about it. I’ve had that same experience you mention–of looking back and wondering how in the world I got through a particular time. I try to remember that when I look ahead to possibilities, some more likely than others–God will get me through them, too, if or when the time comes.
Oh my, Barbara … this is profound: “He does give grace for He does call us to go though—when we need it, not when we worry about it.” I suppose that’s one more reason to let tomorrow worry about itself, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing Elizabeth’s thoughts as well as your own, my friend.
My grandma Emily called that “special grace.” You only get it when you need it!
Your grandma Emily sounds like a wise woman, Susan. (Just like her granddaughter.) 🙂
Wow, Lois. This is so true. I’ve often said that: I don’t know how they do it. But with the Lord’s presence, he would get us through it as well. Tweeted your post!
“The truth of the matter is that it’s very possible our current selves wouldn’t be able to do it.” But in the moment, God always comes through.
Oh yes, Lisa … He definitely does! And I know you are just as thankful for that as I am. 🙂 Thanks for tweeting, my friend.
Thank you, Lois for this beautiful post. I love the reminder that comparison is not helpful, and that when we view others (seemingly) doing well in their trials, we can’t see everything, and that is “their” trial. God is indeed faithful and gives each one of us what we need, when we need it, and not before. It is His faithfulness that ensures we comes through trials and not our own! hugs to you, today my Friend!
Donna, you’ve recapped what I was trying to say beautifully! I love how you this: “It is His faithfulness that ensures we come through trials and not our own.” Amen! Thank you for your kind words, my friend.
Thank you so much for this encouraging reminder, Lois. Yes, God is faithful to give us what we need just in time. Love and blessings of strength for today and hope for tomorrow, my friend!
Sending the same to you this afternoon, dear friend. 🙂
Amen Lois, so beautifully spoken. Thank you for such a blessed post. Blessings.
Thank YOU, Paula. I hope you are staying warm and having a good week!
Your post reminds me of a story in The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. She describes how as a child she feared a family member dying and she talked to her dad about it. He asked her, “When we go on the train to Amsterdam when do I give you the ticket?” and she replied, “Right before we get on the train.” He then told her that God is a good Father who gives us what we need at just the moment we need it and when the time comes to bear hard things he gives us the strength we need. It’s so comforting to remember that!
What a powerful story, Lesley. You’re right … it is tremendously comforting and I’m so thankful you shared it here.
Amen. Oh so true, Lois. Your words quickly reminded me of the old hymn, ‘He Giveth More Grace’
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Oh, Linda … nothing says it quite like one of those old hymns! Thanks for reminding me of this one … I remember it so well from the church of my childhood. 🙂
Lois, once again you have hit the nail on the head! I do look at others navigating what I consider to be devastating losses and wonder how they do it. How are they not devastated? Of course, it is through Christ. His strength gives us the strength to face extremely difficult times. Just like the verse from Philippians says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The verse from Philippians definitely applies here, Laurie. Thanks for sharing it … it’s one of my favorites! 🙂
Lois, what you have shared is so true. I am so grateful our God meets us right where are, with all that we need, right on time. Your post brought back the line from an old hymn >>> “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,” And now I will be humming Great Is Thy Faithfulness all day 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Joanne, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was the inspiration behind that last line of the post, as well as my new-this-year blog tag line. I can think of a lot worse things to having running through your head all day. 🙂 Hugs, friend.