Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

Navigating Life with Grace
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“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)

Life is often referred to as a path each person navigates as they see fit.

Each person is traveling on their own, individualized path. Despite how many familiarities they share, no path is the same. It is anticipated that paths are easy to navigate. The expectation is that all paths will be smooth and safe for extended travel. However, like anything else that undergoes regular use, it is expected that overtime, well-traveled roads will eventually show the effects of the physical stress they have endured.

If you have ever been in place where the roads are riddled with potholes, you know the damage they can do to a vehicle. It’s one thing when you come across one or two small potholes. Their existence is a nuisance, but they can’t do too much damage when you are able to avoid them. But it is a completely different thing when the “pothole-to-paved road” ratio is 50/50. It is extremely difficult to avoid a pothole when the very place you swerve to in order to miss the first pothole is occupied by another pothole. No matter how much you swerve in and out of lane, you seem to continuously see another pothole.

The interesting thing about potholes is that you never really understand how deep they are or how much damage they can do until you unexpectedly find yourself falling into the pothole. The potholes we encounter on this path of life are our own shortcomings. Our flaws. Our failings. Our weaknesses. Those weaknesses we come across on our own paths cause us to proceed with caution. We know where the potholes are. So as long as we are intentional about how we travel, we know how to navigate the path with limited incident.

But what about when you’re traveling on a road you have never traveled across before? It’s raining. You can hardly see the road in front of you, but you trust that it is flat and smooth to travel on. Due to the heavy rain, you can’t see where the potholes are, and you don’t know how deep they are until you are stumbling into them.

Each person you encounter from day-to-day has their fair share of potholes. Shortcomings. Flaws. Failings. Weaknesses. You don’t always know where they are along their individual paths, but if we do know that potholes are inevitable, we could be more intentional about proceeding with caution. Additionally, some of us have the heart and desire to help fix those shortcomings and fill those voids caused by those points of weakness. But it’s not our job. It’s God’s job. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) tells us that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

Our weaknesses amplify His power, and His grace is enough. His gift of grace is tailor-made for each person he bestows it upon. It is just enough for them in that moment. Sometimes we don’t know how to approach every person we meet with grace. We won’t fully understand how to have grace with others until we know how grace has been applied to our own lives. 

As we navigate our own paths of life, just remember to show each person you meet with kindness. We are all fighting challenges. Whether they are publicly displayed obstacles or silent battles, we are all navigating pothole after pothole as we journey through life in this world. Every pothole you come across is not yours, but each one still deserves to be met with kindness and grace.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for grace. Thank you for teaching us what it is and how to share it with others. We know that we do not always get it right, but you continuing to have grace with us helps us learn how to condition ourselves to consistently have grace with others. We are only able to have grace with others when we understand how grace has been shown to us by You. Thank you for continuous opportunities for growth in you. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more.’ With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts. 

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry.

When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.