Getting More Grace in Your Life – Part 1

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. Romans 5:20

Relationships can’t breathe without grace. Because all of humanity is broken, the whole range of human experience is open to being stained by our sin. Misunderstanding and hurt happen even in the best of friendships.

Offering grace to someone who has wronged you might not bring you a rush of good feeling. It might (probably will) feel more like an empty space. An absence. The satisfaction of ‘just desserts’ that we expected and probably would be quietly enjoying is gone. It’s tough sometimes. But offering people grace is about others first – others being loved enough to get another chance – before it’s about you or your sense of wanting to score holy points.

Here’s the first of four ways that you can consider to demonstrate grace: 1) Work on your own mind. Focus on the positive. Is this person really stubborn, or simply dedicated and persistent? Are they truly disorganized or actually spontaneous and flexible? Changing your perspective can let grace shed light on the situation. You might find you are able to do this best when you actively fill your mind with things that are ‘…true, noble… the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.’ (Philippians 4:8). And remember that our expectations have an impact on others – people will often live up to the image we hold of them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as You shower me with Your grace in my life when I mess up, help me reflect that grace with others and look for the good in them that You have placed there. In Jesus’ Name, Amen