{{item.title | uppercase}}

{{item.authdes}}

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Grace.

I’ve been pondering this word all week. I stumbled on the sixteenth verse of Hebrews chapter four, and it has captured my thoughts. I’ve been tied up in thought ever since.

The words “draw near to the throne of grace” have taken my breath away and melted my heart. His word also tells us that “As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 ESV)

His throne of grace must be massive.

Recently I’ve been working through some difficult situations on my journey. I’m at a loss as how to bind up the deep wounds. The fear of being hurt again shadows me, so I ponder what it looks like to move forward in this area.

Since my husband’s passing, I’ve come to realize that in the midst of the worst time in my life, God’s grace was overflowing like a dam broken by a wash-out. A wash-out happens as a result of too much rain in too short of time. It destroys the dam and the water has to find a different route.

God’s grace can flood our circumstances and help us find another route besides bitterness and anger.

His grace rushes in, submerges the wounds, and makes way for restoration.

My husband died as a result of a motorcycle accident. God’s grace rushed in and took him immediately to heaven for complete healing. God’s grace also spared me from the heart-wrenching decisions that come with a critically injured spouse. At the time I didn’t see those moments as grace-filled, but years later, God has restored my view of grace in life’s hardest moments.

All of this reflecting opened my eyes to the importance of allowing grace to flood the hurts and wash out the fear so my focus can be on healthy, God honoring relationships. He has given my life much grace.

Experiences have the potential to leave us wounded and overwhelmed. Our circumstances might tempt us to count the unfairness of our not so lovely fairy tale ending, but we serve a Savior who tells us to approach His throne of grace boldly. He loves us and offers so much grace from His throne. Therefore, we can’t be stingy about the grace we dole out. He doesn’t require us to be a doormat, but to extend grace and let hurts be washed away so they don’t have an opportunity to entangle us.

So ladies, if you are struggling with the whys and the hurts of life as a widow, ask God to remind you of the grace He has given.

Dear Jesus, We are so thankful for Your throne of grace. We love You and we ask for Your help as we practice extending this grace. Help us to be bold and full of mercy in our circumstances. We know You see the wounds we carry and we ask You to flood our hearts with Your grace, so You can renew and restore. In Your Mighty Name, Amen!