2 Cor 12:9-10  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Do you need more grace today? If not, do you know someone who does need more grace? Have today’s verses spoken to your heart because of a trial you are going through? Has your trial been so great that you can’t imagine ever overcoming or recovering from it? Is your illness one that will never be cured, and you must suffer through it for the rest of your life? Trials such as these may seem overwhelming at times. For some of you, it may be overwhelming all the time.

I don’t know who said this, but it reveals how we see ourselves in the midst of our trial. “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” At the moment, I am going through a trial that, to me, seems it will have no end. As I see it, I have some choices:

  • I can lean ever more closer to the Savior’s side; picturing Him sitting beside me on the couch, and sharing my heart with Him
  • I can be comforted by reading Scripture and listening to music
  • I can surround myself with encouraging friends
  • I can ask for prayer
  • OR
  • I can dwell on my circumstances
  • I can go into a depression
  • I can blame God for my trial, along with everything else that’s wrong in my life
  • I can become bitter, like Naomi in Ruth 1:20
  • I can allow myself to stray from the Lord in hopes for something better around the corner

These choices produce deliberate outcomes. Some will provide me with more grace to withstand the enemy, while others will cause me to despair more resulting in depression. Yes, it is my choice. Which of these choices makes me long to live each day, even on days that overwhelm me? The enemy wants me to give in, and live defeated so I will be of no earthly use to the Saviour. Anytime the enemy can cause a believer to be ineffective for Christ, he has won! He wants us to quit on the Lord Jesus. When we do so, we lose the blessed opportunity to lean into the Lord’s arms and be held by Him.

God provides more grace when it is needed. You’ve been there, haven’t you? In the midst of despair, the Lord has spoken to your heart or someone reached out to encourage you? There’s the more in more grace.

He Giveth More Grace – by Annie Johnson Flint

1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Are you in the midst of a trial so great that you think you won’t make it through? Make the choice. It’s easier than you think. The distractions of physical or emotional pain will have an affect on you one way or another. You must choose which way is best! The Lord Jesus will provide the grace you need. The section of the brain that produces anxiety or depression is the same part of the brain that enjoys music. If you want to overcome your trial, try listening to music. You will find that your negative thoughts will be replaced by the words of the song, along with its melody. Today’s hymn will draw you out of yourself and into the Lord’s arms, desiring His grace like a bird opening its mouth for its mother’s food.

2 Cor 1:3-5  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  (4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  (5)  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

There is a blessing to be had but you must seek it. Be like Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:9b Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Then provide the help and comfort of “Jesus with skin on” to someone else who is going through a similar trial! We all need comforting, especially in these end times!

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