Grace Extended
By Maria Drayton
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3
The Holy Spirit put His finger on it. I hadn’t even realized that I needed help in this area but when He began to deal with me, I began to see it like He sees it. I had to admit that my attitude needed an adjustment. Not a big adjustment but an adjustment none the less. It’s easy for me to get caught up in all the ways the Holy Spirit blesses me but do I extend those blessings to others in action and words? If I were being honest, I do with those that I like. But when I am offended, I find it hard to extend grace to people that may not understand or who are completely unaware.
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Last week, I was waiting patiently in line for my turn when out of nowhere the gentleman that had been in front of me ran me over without an “excuse me”, “I’m sorry” or “I apologize”. In fact, not only did he run me over as he walked right into me but he yelled at me, “Get out of my way!” I was offended and quickly retorted, “If you weren’t being so rude, I could have!” That wasn’t the appropriate response but in anger without grace, I spoke. These encounters have recently become more frequent and this morning the Holy Spirit spoke quietly to me and reminded me of the fruits of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
I admit I need the Holy Spirit’s help in this area of my life. I am thankful that He is correcting me in this area. And since He is revealing it to me then He will also help me with it. As a parent, I try to understand this from His point of view. Recently, I had to correct my son in a certain behavior. At first, I spoke to him about the behavior and hoped the discussion would create change. It didn’t. When I noticed the behavior continue, I decided to take away a luxury of his. This rendered the change I was looking for.
Isn’t this how God is with us? At first, as his children He speaks to us regarding a certain behavior in hopes that this will cause us to change. But when we continue on in our ways, He has to correct us so that the behavior will stop. Sometimes that correction comes in the form of grieving, sometimes in the form of loss, and sometimes in the form of rebuke.
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12: 5-6 NIV
Today I am grateful for his rebuke. Today I am hopeful that now that I see it, He can help me change it.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your correction. You are wonderful in all Your ways. Even when you discipline me, I know that you still love me. Help me to not be easily offended but instead extend the grace that you freely give me. Allow people to be able to see You in me in all my ways. Less of me and more of You is what I want today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
For more encouragement, visit Maria at mariadrayton.com
Check out Maria’s new release through Encouragement Café Press, “To Know Him: A 31-Day Devotional Journey”, available on Amazon.
© 2020 by Maria Drayton. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 13 July 2020.
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