Growing in Grace in a Fruitless Season
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18
Some seasons are fruitless. We plant, water, weed, nurture, prune and wait. Then, nothing comes. It can be disheartening to not see the fruit of our labors. Sometimes, the only fruit in our life’s gardens seem to be lemons and there often isn’t enough sugar to make lemonade from all the bitter things coming our way. Knowing this is part of life doesn’t exactly make swallowing sugarless lemonade any easier. It is, on those days, when we have to accept that everything doesn’t go our way or happen in our time. In those seasons, we need grace, God’s grace and mercy.
Right now, as my sister and I struggle with the difficulties of dealing with the everyday needs of our father, who has had two strokes, is hard of hearing and is rapidly declining and in a real struggle with Alzheimer/Dementia, we feel lost in a sea of unknowns as we watch our Dad suffer more and more. We are pressed to yield difficult solutions to heartbreaking problems that we have never faced and don’t understand. Every struggle seems like an emergency that turns into a “hurry up and wait” situation. We are prodded to move ahead, only to run into multiple roadblocks and detours. It feels as though we will be residing in this season of fruitless endeavors and failed efforts for a long haul with no light at the end of the tunnel.
And yet, right in the middle of this dark, unforeseen and difficult journey, God has reminded me of His grace, and the fact that we have access to it at any time. Remembering this has restored my faith and given me a fresh confidence that God knows what is needed, and is walking us through the trying and troubling circumstances that our Dad, our family, the caretakers and medical staff are going through.
One day last week while my sister and I discussed the need and provision of God’s grace in dealing with our current issues, she came across this t-shirt at Walmart that depicted the very thought of our situation clearly. And, while it was too big for either of us to wear, it truly fit the occasion and made us both stop and smile.
Each day, since the start of this journey, this devastating situation has become more challenging. Our hearts are heavy. We’re weary and overwhelmed. But, graciously, God has shown me a few truths that have helped to rebuilt my strength and renew my mindset in the last few days. As I see and watch others carry similar and even heavier burdens and struggles, I feel God’s grace encircling my heart and mind. I wanted to share what God has been showing me, just in case you are finding yourself in a fruitless season of heartaches too.
Ask God for Grace
Please know, we do not have to and are not walking through our difficulties alone. God knows what we are facing. We can call on our Creator at any time for comfort, courage and confidence to face the trials and troubles we find ourselves in. In fact, God says, we can come “BOLDLY” unto His throne to “obtain mercy and find grace” for the help we need.
“Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace
to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
Do you have the confidence to boldly go to God and ask for the mercy and grace He offers? Where are you going to find the counsel, provisions, and guidance to help in your time of need?
We don’t have to depend on others or ourselves. We can ask God to intervene on our behalf. I promise He will. He has for us and has proven that to me again and again. He did it just this past week in the midst of some very hard situations. I’ve watched him intercede when hope seemed lost and solutions seemed out of reach. All I had to do was ask God for His grace and He graciously provided just what I needed when I needed it most.
Accept God’s Grace
It’s difficult to accept our problems, struggles and conflicts. It’s hard to make the tough decisions for tough situations with no resolve. It’s not easy to accept delays or defeat. We don’t naturally want to submit or succumb to our difficulties.
But, while we don’t always have, or know, of an appropriate solution, God does and His grace will be sufficient in our time of need.
“And he said unto me,
my grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
We just have to accept His offer of grace by opening our hearts and minds and reaching out to receive it.
Appreciate God’s Grace
We will all experience days when we will have to give ourselves some grace too and take it easy on ourselves. We can’t force fruitfulness. We won’t always see the harvest we desire from the labor we invest. We may have to accept growing slowly in the grace that God gives us to grow in. Oh, but when God sends his grace, we’ll know it, because we’ll see him working in ways that we can’t and helping us overcome our difficulties, no matter how they go.
With a deep concern in my heart, I pray for everyone old, young, and in between, who are suffering spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally today. It is my desire to grow with you, even through the briars, weeds and stormy weather, as we strive together to walk uprightly and bask in God’s warmth and protection. Let’s root ourselves in our Creator’s grace and glory and the good things He has for us. For, in the seasons that feel fruitfulness and unfulfilling, God’s grace is sufficient!
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield:
the LORD will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold
from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
BRINGING IT HOME
What struggle are you facing today?
Do you need to ask for, accept and appreciate God’s grace for your situation?
If you’d like me to pray for you, or you have questions about receiving God’s grace, feel free to email me and together we can go BOLDLY to God for His solutions.
Growing With You,
Smiles, BRC