Prepared by Grace

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV

We are not ANYTHING we are by ANYTHING we've done in our own power. We don't have anything we have by anything we've done to deserve it. We don't have the strength we have because of any fleshly thing we've done. All that we are, all that we have, all we've been carried and kept THROUGH is by the grace of God.

In our every weakness, even when we don't realize it, he's right there with us. Carrying us, helping us, holding us up. Cheering us on to keep fighting the good fight. Giving us the encouragement we need to keep pressing forward. Leading us, teaching us.

When we're in the fight, it's the VOICE of our Master that we hear. Instructing us and leading us. When distractions come, he guides our sight back into focus. When our enemy comes in like a flood, he's there. Raising up a standard. When our enemy blindsides us, he's there. Being our greatest defense.

God's ways are perfect. At times we want to question God and we wonder why he takes us through the things he takes us through, but when we come out on the other side and we look back over it all, we discover that it was all preparation for something MUCH greater. He has a table spread for us on the other side of our battles. To refresh us, to refill us, to reassure us. He's there. He's there all the time. He's faithful. Even when we can't feel him, he's there.

He has a plan for you. He has a purpose for your pain. Let him turn your pain into power. No, it's not easy. It's not a quick process. It's not something that we can just pass through without fully surrendering all we have to it. God wants to use us. Will we let him prepare us?