For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
How will I learn to live differently than in my past five decades? How will I learn to use braille and a talking computer that I love to hate? How will I share encouraging devotions with people? God’s grace enabled me to do all that and so much more when I lost the majority of my vision and God called me to write.
That’s the short answer, but we find the long answer in our focal verse. God prepared good works in eternity past for us to do in this present season.
Whether you bake cookies for the children at church or teach a Bible study, God has prepared these good works for you. He gives us the ability to do what He calls us to do. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled Peter and all the disciples.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongue as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4 NIV)
Do you see those last few words? The Holy Spirit enabled them. They had never spoken in different tongues prior to Pentecost, but now, the Holy Spirit enabled them.
Friend, that same Holy Spirit inhabits us if we have believed. He enables me as a writer and speaker. He enables you as a singer. He enables you when you give. He enables you when you serve others and when you witness to the lost.
That same Holy Spirit enables us during suffering. Paul wrote concerning his thorn in the flesh.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
I’m glad Paul didn’t disclose his thorn, because it can be my thorn. It can be your thorn.
God gives us His grace and Holy Spirit to glorify Him in our suffering. He gives you grace in your cancer, your financial burdens, and in your broken marriage. He gives you grace to combat your fears, worries and angsts. He gives you grace to battle depression and discouragement.
Friend, God’s grace abounds in us as we suffer and as we serve Him and others. Don’t feel ill-equipped. Be confident that He provides you with all you will ever need, just like He helped me learn the skills necessary for transitioning to a life as a blind woman. He even gave me an adorable partner, Iva, my guide dog. I know with certainty He will do the same for you.
Heavenly Father, pour out Your grace upon me for the suffering I endure and as I serve. Thank You for qualifying me to go through anything I face. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
Thank God and firmly believe you are fully equipped to be victorious in your current season, whether suffering or serving.
RELATED RESOURCE
During trials, it can be difficult to get up each morning feeling victorious. Here’s a 30-day devotional that helps you overcome the overwhelming with a victorious faith, even when you don’t feel victorious. Click here.
Originally posted on April 11, 2022 @ 3:00 am