Abounding in Grace: The Unmerited Favor of the Lord

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

There I was, a senior in college looking forward to finally graduating until I got the dreaded email that I was lacking 3 semester hours. In that moment, I was upset with myself and wondered how, after working so hard, I managed to still be unsuccessful. Even though I was one class away from earning a degree, I was standing at the tail end of a 6- year journey that should have only taken 4 years. I had to re-face the fact that I had failed many previous classes and I had also almost gotten myself placed on academic suspension due to bad grades, but by the grace of God, the computer somehow skipped my name, and I never received a notification that I would not be able to resume classes.

God showed so much grace to me, but not being able to graduate made me angry with Him. I felt like a failure, and I thought that He was supposed to have my back. I pouted, I cried, and I removed my bible from my room, but after coming to my senses, I decided to follow the directions given in the email to meet with an advisor so that I could get on track to graduate in the next ceremony.

When I arrived at the building that I was directed to go to, I sat with an adviser and listened to her as she looked over the classes that I had taken, but she suddenly caught something that had been missed. There was a class that I had passed that should have replaced another class that I had failed. After making the adjustment, I was informed that I now had all the credits that I would need to graduate in that semester. Let’s talk about grace! I had thrown a tantrum. I had decided to be upset with God, but He still allowed me to succeed when He could have left me to wallow in my unjust resentment.

Wherever you are in life, know that God can suddenly shift a climate into your favor. Some experiences are to train you. Get out the mindset of offense and get into the mindset of expecting grace to overtake you.

I would like to challenge you to remember what the Lord has already done for you. Go back to those moments when God provided for you and carried you though the storms of life. Recall the goodness of the Lord and know that you are not where you are by chance. God is faithful. He sees what other people don’t see.

Know that you have an audience in heaven when you feel uncertainty about what is going on around you on the earth. Gods got you!

Lord, thank you for reminding me of your grace and of the power of a suddenly. I pray to keep those moments in my heart as I grow through the challenges that I face today. You said that you would never leave me nor forsake me, and I believe you. No matter how long the journey may be, I know that you care cultivating me in this process. I trust you Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Recommended Reading:

“ The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path].”( Psalm 37:23 Amplified Bible)

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

*To each person that is reading this, I want to encourage you to release the pressures of life to God. He loves you and He wants to take the burdens that you carrying. Give them to Him today.

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JaNina B.

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