But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
Grace is the cure for bitterness.
Grace is the cure for jealousy.
Grace is the cure for anger, resentment, and hurt.
Grace is the cure for all of the gaps in our life.
Grace is the cure for your past, present, and future.
Every year I pick a word that I feel The Lord is pressing upon my heart as sort of a guidance for what key I will need for the upcoming year. When I heard the word GRACE for 2017 my first reaction was how difficult it was going to be to offer grace to other people. I just automatically thought it was going to be a difficult year with people and I was just going to have to have good will power to “bite my tongue”, and be nice even when people don’t deserve it.
But once I felt like God was going to pour out His grace upon my life I actually started to get excited.
Even though I felt like giving other people grace was going to difficult, it’s actually a lot easier than carrying around suspicion, or an offense, for an entire year of lifetime. I’ve had plenty of moments this year to offer grace, and God has been faithful to show me grace, too.
With every worry, fear, anxiety, pain, hurtful and disappointing relationship or interactions, grace truly is the cure. Some offenses just aren’t worth holding on to, and if we believe in God then we can trust that He is a just and fair God who sees the bigger picture instead of the small offense we have had to endure.
Last year needed a lot of grace, and I almost had wished it was my word for the year or I would have invested a little bit of time offering, and receiving, God’s grace. But last year my focus was BELIEVE, and I know it was the foundation for what God wanted to do in my life for this year.
In 2016 my faith was stretched once again and I spent a lot of time simply believing God. Believing God for His promises, and through one of the toughest years of my life.
I remember specifically sitting in the chair in my room one day last year struggling with responding in a situation with something that I knew was the result of a lack of faith. It was so difficult for me to not do anything and to just BELIEVE God would give me the answers that I sought. I cried and I prayed about how difficult it was to just not do the act that was me working in my own flesh, and to just trust God. But you know what? God was truly faithful. Even though last year was a very difficult year, one that stretched my faith, so many prayers were answered and I believe it was simply because I believed God.
Jesus did so many miracles simply because people believed in Him. The ones who didn’t believe in Him, and only wanted to use him, were the ones who were unable to truly witness the power that lived in Jesus. Belief is a huge part of our walk, and so is grace.
What we believe is the foundation our faith because in order to receive God’s grace we need to believe in Jesus.
So last year my focus was believing God, and this year my focus in receiving the grace that comes from believing.
Grace is truly the cure for a lot of things, and it’s an easier burden to bear in this life. It’s only day 2 of the New Year and I am already seeing what a gift grace truly is.
Ā P.S. This year my Word of the year is grace, and I would love to share with you a digital print (pictured above) that you can download that contains the word GRACE plus a scripture to help encourage you in finding, and receiving God’s grace, today and every day. Just click this link to receive this digital print for free.Ā Word of the Year 2017 - Grace
5 STAR AMAZON REVIEW: “I really enjoyed this mini study. I like when things make you think and journal and you can focus on one aspect at a time. It was a great study.”
Our faith begins with what we know and believe about God. Our faith will carry us how far we are willing to let it take us. Faith is a choice and we need to begin by choosing to believe in Jesus and His power to move mountains, heal the sick, and save us from all our sins through His sacrifice on the cross.
Yes, receiving grace each day and thanking God for it will be a wonderful focus for your year! May God bless you as you focus on his grace
Thank you, Annie!
Grace was our word two years ago, it started when I was overwhelmed with something and my husband was trying to get me to do another thing, and I broke down and just yelled “Give me grace!” He did, it stopped us both in our tracks actually. And that’s the phrase we used for the whole year. Give me grace, give him grace, give her grace in all of our moments when grace was the last thing we were thinking of or wanted to give. Grace is a good word for the year.
I love that story, thank you for sharing! I’m already appreciating the lighter burden grace gives. š
Grace is a great word to focus on for the year. God is the giver of abundant grace. May yours overflow this year. My word for the year is Commit. Thank you for sharing at Glimpses link up. Nice to “meet” you!
I really love that word COMMIT! Sometimes that is the hardest step of faith, to stick with something through the highs and the lows. Thank you for stopping by!
A powerful word, indeed, to aspire to live out, Heather! God bless you as you journey in faith.
Thank you, Julie!
Happy new year, Heather! Thanks for sharing your heart and linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Happy New Year to you too, Kristin! Thank you for stopping by!
After we commit to believing, receiving (and giving) grace does cover all! Love this post and love your site, Heather! It’s gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing hope alongside me at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you for stopping bye, Lori!
Grace is absolutely my favorite word. š I have found that these words we choose are building blocks or sign posts for the things He is doing in our lives or is about to do. I am praying for increased favor and blessing and grace upon grace for you. š
So glad you are a part of the #GraceMoments Community, Heather!
Hugs,
Dawn
Thank you so much, Dawn! You are right, these words truly are building blocks or sign posts for what is to come or the season we are currently in. It is so true!