One of the biggest misunderstandings of grace is that it makes everything pretty and easy. After all, grace is favour right? So if God is gracious, our life should most likely be problem-free after we give our lives to the Lord.
Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. All Christians will go through trials, and most probably a lot of them. In fact, chances are when you became a Christian, it seemed like you had more problems than before you came to know Christ. So does that mean God's grace has no power over our lives? Not at all.
The issue arises in the definition of grace. Often, it's believed that the grace of God is supposed to make things easy, and make life more bearable. This is definitely far from the truth as well because God's grace was never meant to take away all the pain, hurt and struggle, rather it was meant to give you the grace to endure and conquer through all the opposition.
The thing about struggle is that it will always be there. John 16:33 makes it clear that "In the world there will be tribulation," but it also tells us of the grace of God to overcome, not by our own strength, but by the grace that comes through Jesus.
I do believe that grace can take away problems and trials. In an instant, God can take away any sin, lack, sickness, worry, doubt and distress because Jesus has already paid the penalty in full. However, sometimes the grace of God works to enable us to say no to sin so that we can escape our worldly passions or enable us to increase in the grace of generosity and stewardship so that we can get out of our lack.
Psalm 54:4 promises "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life..." In times when we are challenged, God is there to help us nonetheless, but as He does so, He also invites us to do our part. It's not because God needs our help, but because he wants us to participate in the victory that is already in him.
God's grace does not work to take out all your problems all at once. It is sufficient to take you out of your trials and situations as you work with God, and as you face those trials God's grace will sustain you.
How can you invite God into your situation today, and what part can you play in conquering your trials?
