By Tonya S. Swindell

One day while having a heartfelt conversation with God, I said, “Lord, I do so many things wrong.” Almost immediately these words came to my heart in the form of a response: “Don’t focus on that. Focus on Me. That’s the message of grace!”

For confirmation I read Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) which says, “For by grace you have been saved, through faith — and that is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The apostle Paul received a similar response after he asked God to remove a troubling condition from his life. Paul wrote: “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).

Although I feel uncomfortable when talking about my weaknesses, I get several benefits from doing it. When I receive God’s grace I gain strength to be gracious to myself and others. I’m thankful for a friend who consistently encourages me by saying, “Big T, remember to show yourself grace!”

Also, because of shared experiences, I can genuinely relate to people who have the same struggles I have. The Lord comforts me in all my troubles so that I can comfort others in theirs.

Another benefit of admitting my weaknesses is that I have a chance to be forgiven. Like the psalmist I can pray these words: “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told] — then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin…” (Psalm 32:5 AMPC)

It also helps me to remember Jesus said, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

To me, grace and mercy are like supernatural bookends God placed in my life to keep me in the center of His will. Grace, or undeserved blessings I receive from God, goes in front of me making provision for the abundant life God prearranged for me to have.

Mercy, which is deliverance from judgment or God not punishing me in a way that my sin really deserves, follows me all the days of my life so that I may dwell in the house and presence of the Lord forever. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in and relies on the Lord shall be surrounded with mercy and loving-kindness.

I thank God for His grace and mercy that covers and protects me, and I pray that He will help me show it to myself and others.

Tonya Swindell writes a blog for www.inspirenewlife.org and a teacher for Kingdom Building Equipping School (KBES.com). She can be reached at 1brightot@gmail.com.