A Prayer for Grace as You Enter a New Life Season
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8
Listen or Read Below:
Near the end of our weekly Wednesday Bible study, I sat still at the round table and sympathetically listened. One at a time, several women shared a sense of sorrow about the life change they had recently encountered. Each specifically reflecting on how the recent holiday season had looked a lot different from how she had once remembered. Foreign from what she’d known and loved from years past. And I felt it right with them, with my firstborn in his Freshman year of college. I’m happy to say, he came home to share Christmas and Thanksgiving with us. But now he’s back to school. And to be honest, I can’t be certain how many more holidays he’ll have here with us. I certainly sense a life shift—a new season upon me—and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. Of course, there’s gratitude for the goodness God faithfully keeps bringing forth. But, there’s a bit of melancholy sadness that lingers. And if I’m being completely transparent, there’s also a touch of fear that I won’t experience the fullness of joy I once did.
Do these sentiments spark something in you? Do they stir up a sense that things are changing, and a new season is upon you? Maybe it unsettles you slightly, too. Maybe you even have some guilt for feeling a little down. Because you know that God is so good, that he has given you so much, and that you truly should be grateful and glad. Well, here’s what I think about such confusion and transition. In these times, it would serve us well to remember God’s grace. To remember that God doesn’t condemn you for feeling this way. To remember that your feelings of dissatisfaction are not God’s discipline for not being content enough with whatever circumstances. And to remember that this life change will not necessarily continue to cause you to feel down. Because of God’s grace.
God’s grace means his goodness will follow you regardless. His grace means it’s okay for you to feel disappointed. In fact, not only does he not condemn you, but he has compassion on you. But his grace also means he has so much more good coming for you. Personally, I may still struggle, flail, and falter as I settle into a new season. But God’s grace means he will be patient with me. And God’s grace means he will be patient with you, too. He has so many good gifts that he is ready and planning to lay before you today and along the journey ahead. A road that will be just as beautiful as what you have already traveled. A path vibrantly glazed with God’s loving goodness and unlimited grace.
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul reminds God’s people—that’s you, me, and all who love him—that God is able to make all grace abound to you. Other versions say that God will generously provide all you need, and God is able to bless you abundantly. His grace will abound, he will provide, and he will bless. These are continual promises made for a life lived in surrender to him. For our season’s past, present, and every single season of change to be handed to him. Whatever stage or phase you find yourself in, know that his compassion is with you. Know that his grace will be with you and will abound to you. Trust that he will generously provide all that you need. And be confident in the truth that he will continue to bless you abundantly with his peace, his presence, his protection, and his love. And in him you will always and forever find a fullness of joy found always, forever, and only… in him.
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, Your grace is more than sufficient for me in all things, at all times, and even in the seasons that seem to be changing. Seasons when I feel like I’m losing or letting go of what I have loved dearly. And though I may sometimes struggle with the shifts of life, your grace tells me your compassion is with me and that your goodness will continue to follow me.
Help me hold tight to your loving grace that comforts me. Help me cling to your boundless grace that blesses me. Help me remember that your grace means you will never stop bestowing beautiful blessings over me all the days of my life. Jesus, I praise you for your generous provision and your unending joy.
In your name I pray, Amen.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/dohtar
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