Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 6 Calm!نموونە

God’s Heart is Good

Do you have a story you long to read over and over? The passages about our God of grace are like that for me. I long for them, but sometimes struggle to move them from my head to my heart. My anxiety is not yet replaced with trust.

Recently I heard a pastor speak about being highly invested in the life of his unborn sibling. The baby passed away soon after birth, significantly impacting the pastor’s life. His words pierced my soul. My story is similar.

I knew her name, Elizabeth Ann. As my mom passed through her later years, my sister and I often half-jokingly said, "Sure wish Elizabeth Ann was here!" But this was different. I could picture myself, nearly three years old, feeling the baby kick, seeing the bassinet set up in my parent's room, and hearing the questions of kindhearted neighbors about my soon-to-be status as a big sister.

I never met Elizabeth Ann, as her short life ended one day after she entered the world.

Even recently the tears began to flow. I found Elizabeth Ann's obituary, a picture of her in a beautiful white gown, and a picture of the room in the church filled with flowers where her body lay.

I needed to dig in with the God of grace.

So, I asked Him, "Lord, what lies did I believe from this loss?" The answer came quickly and clearly. I believed that God was mean and that He snatched away something meant to be a good and precious gift. A lurking suspicion of His character was left producing anxiety in me.

In The Grace Course, there is a renunciation of lies and a declaration of truth about our Father God. One of them states this:

I renounce the lie that God is mean, cruel, or abusive.

I announce the truth that you, Father God, are loving, gentle, and protective.

God was protective; Elizabeth Ann didn't have to suffer long in this life. He held her little life gently in His hands and walked her home to be with him. And because He proved His love at the cross, I will see my sweet little sister again on that marvelous day of heavenly reunions!

Reflect and Respond

How have you believed that God is mean, cruel, or abusive? How has this led to anxiety in your life? Invite God to reframe your experience considering His great love shown to you at the cross of Christ.

Pray

Lord Jesus, no god except You has ever willingly sacrificed His life for me. In the losses of this life, I receive your grace to believe that Your heart is always good. Replace my anxiety with trust in Your love.

To continue the deep dive into God's marvelous grace, click Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 7 Fruitful! for the next devotional.

If you enjoyed this reading plan, you’ll love the Grace Course. It will help you connect with the grace of God in your heart, not just your head. You can check it out here.