Imagine a life without grace? Imagine a day without grace? Without grace, I know I would not be who I am or where I am today. If grace wasn't there everyday, I'be totally lost and feel defeated. Could you make it through the day without grace and still be sane at the end of it? In the midst of all the chaos in life, grace abounds. I'm talking about the grace that God gives us each day to live unto Him and it helps us make it through every celebration, trial and tribulation. Thank God for grace!
Grace means: "the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them." Because of the grace you receive, you are able to be gracious to other people. Gracious means to be "merciful or compassionate" and to be "courteous, kind, and pleasant."
As you go about your day, most of the time you may not even be consciously aware of how much grace is operating in your life. It takes grace to be kind, patient, loving, understanding, forgiving, etc. People and situations can test you to see how far you can be stretched before you "react" in an unpleasant way. The beauty of grace is that it allows you to "respond" in wisdom and not "react" out of the flesh (human nature). Remember the grace that you receive and experience each day from God as well as other people (because of the grace they receive). Extend that same grace so that you are gracious in all situations.
In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NKJV), Paul wrote: "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Paul's life was changed because of God's grace. Your life is changed and continues to improve because of God's grace. You don't act the way you used to before, because now, the grace of God is operating in you. When chaos, confusion, frustration, etc. come your way, you are able to be calm (or respond better) because of grace.
No matter what challenges come your way, God's Word is clear and encouraging: "And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NASB) You can face today because of the grace operating in you! Today, be grateful for grace and intentionally show grace to at least one person. Be gracious and be the voice of reason that saves the day in whatever situation or crisis arises.
