Grace that fights when my strength fails
Have you ever felt defeated…defeated within a relationship, defeated by the storms from all around you and defeated by yourself? Where you feel heartbroken and disheartened as you comb back through your memory trying to think how you have ended up here once again?
Thinking of how you could’ve said some things so much different, how you should’ve been quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger… Just thinking of how everything happened so fast, maybe how you have wounded with your words, how this relationship is struggling and how you do not know what more there is to do to make it better?
Maybe you have wept, maybe you have prayed, you have been convicted, you have tried to change, you have prayed together, you have repented and made a mutual commitment to work on your relationship, you have tried so hard and somehow still fell short. Maybe you knew this relationship God gave you was something special, but after a few years you find yourself seeing it grow up and not knowing how to steward it well.
I’ve been here. I have sat on the floor and wept and I have poured out my heart before God. I have told Him exactly how I felt, I have repeated the words that had hurt me and the words I have warred with. I’ve cried out to God and felt so scared to lose it all. I have been at a place where I was in a spiritual fight to keep myself from giving in to the temptation of doing what was surely in opposition with the fruit of the Spirit. There have been times where I was struggling so much in relationships to be what God has called me to be.
One day God spoke so clearly to me. I opened my Bible, seeking His voice in great need. I felt Holy Spirit prompting me to read Galatians 6 and 5, in that order. I heard my Father’s voice, so tender and firm.
“2Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].”
Galatians 6:2
“…13love, serve and seek the best for one another. 14For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” Galatians 5:13-14
First He reminded me what He expects of me, the way I have to love, the way His Son loved the people around Him when He was on earth. Then He spoke the truth to me that broke the yoke off my shoulders.
“5For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].” Galatians 5:5
“16But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].” Galatians 5:16
I have loved and served God. I have been passionate and zealous in striving to be more and more like Jesus, but suddenly I heard Holy Spirit saying to me: “You have taken it upon yourself, that is why you are failing. You have surrendered much, but not all. Surrender to the core and rely on Me completely and you will see Christ’s victory over this.”
I felt God’s love and grace filling me. I felt fresh fire to overcome and the hope of Christ within me.
If today you are ready to step out of that place of defeat into Christ’s victory, get quiet and invite God into that place and ask Holy Spirit to help you to surrender. Yield and see Him lead you into victory!
“6Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit” Zechariah 4:6
