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For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:3-4 (ESV)

Never have I been confronted with my true character as much as I have been since becoming a widow. From the silly things like recognizing that perhaps I did make some of the messes that I used to blame on Dave. To the bigger things like realizing how quickly I judge other people. The truth is I expected grace from everyone while I was grieving, but I struggled with giving even the smallest amount of grace to someone who made the wrong comment. Grief was exposing my true character and I did not like what it revealed! Confronted by my sinfulness and without my biggest cheerleader at my side, I started to feel utterly defeated.

Until I was reminded of God’s truth.

First, I was reminded of the truth that my sins are paid for in FULL. Every sin I have committed and every sin I will ever commit. Knowing my Christ died for me – tells me in no uncertain terms that I am worth everything to Him. Think about that for a moment, Sisters, we are worth everything to Him! And He made that choice knowing every sin we would ever commit. He chose to die for us. To pay the price for us. We are truly free from ever having to pay for any sin we commit. We are that loved!

But that is not the end of the story.

He didn’t just die on the Cross and say, “Ok that’s it, you can go on about your business.” And He didn’t leave us to struggle alone. Far too often as widows, we fall into the trap of thinking we are all alone. That simply is not true!

We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ESV) confirms this:

“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

And the Holy Spirit is our Helper who lives in us forever. John 14:16-17 ESV:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

With the Holy Spirit as our Helper, we are guided to keep God’s commandments. And it is not burdensome, with His help! Philippians 2:12-13 ESV says:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

We will overcome the World.

It is because of God’s great love we not only have been forgiven our sins, past, present, and future but we have also been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because of the Holy Spirit, keeping the commandments is no longer burdensome. And as it says in 1 John 5: 3-4 (listed above) everyone born of God overcomes the world! That doesn’t change because we are widows! We are victorious! None of my shortcomings or my mistakes or my sinfulness will defeat me! Because of God’s great love – we will overcome!

Lord, thank You for Your great love for us which is so much more than we can even grasp! Thank You for forgiving us our sins, giving us Your helper, and completing the work You began in us. Help us to remember this truth today – we live in victory because of You! Amen.