Grace for Today

Week 38, Thursday

Leigh Lowery

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

My girlfriends and I were eating lunch together and the conversation turned to talk of the future. We expressed to each other our sincere concerns about the unknowns of the days and years ahead.

We wonder . . .

If our husbands see us as beautiful and will always desire us.

If our children will know and love God.

If our families will be safe from harm and sickness.

If our children will marry godly spouses.

If our grandchildren will be happy, well, and safe.

If we will be able to pay our bills.

If we will have enough money to make it to the end.

If . . . if . . . if . . .

The middle letters in life are “if.”

A friend of mine often says about life, “It is what it is.” Life happens!

My husband has used a phrase our entire marriage to describe the way God gets us through the “ifs” of life: “trouble grace.” When we face trouble, and we most assuredly will, God gives us the grace to handle the trouble. God gives us the grace we need when we need it. He doesn’t supply grace for what we fear might happen, He gives us exactly what we need when life happens. We can trust God. His ways are not our ways, but His ways are the right ways, even in the midst of the worst situations, including death.

As my friends and I talked, we realized we want to yield to God, let go, and live life to its fullest, but instead we worry and fret over our lack of control. The twin sisters—fear and worry—attempt to paralyze us and keep us from experiencing all God has for us. Worry of failure, fear of rejection, and trying our best to be safe never bring us control or peace. God holds the future and He can be trusted. That is the truth! Relax and rest in His care.

Thank You, Lord, for assuring me today of Your sovereign control of my life. Nothing can touch my life without Your permission. You will give me the grace to handle life’s ups and downs. Thank You for “trouble grace.” Amen.