Sacraments are like hoses. They are the channels of the living water of God's grace. Our faith is like opening the faucet. We can open it a lot, a little, or not at all.

As C.S. Lewis says, "God whispers in our pleasures but shouts in our pains. Pain is his megaphone to rouse a dulled world.

Grace is not in nature so much as nature is in grace. Saint Thérèse said, on her deathbed, "Everything is grace.

The same grace that transports us to heaven also gives us composure when our flights are delayed or the traffic is jammed up.

When unprepared people think they're strong enough to resist any intimidation they may face, they're at great risk for abysmal failure. Pride in one's own strength cannot take the place of spiritual preparation. Discipleship is crucial to our ultimate destiny, but its cost is total commitment. Jesus warned against failing to count this cost before committing (Luke 14:25-33).

Let me give you some advice that has helped me in such times. Stop and ask yourself a few questions to get reoriented. Is God good? Has He been good to me? Does His Word light the path ahead of me? Are His grace and provision sufficient for all my needs? Has He met my needs in the past? Has He given me promises to bear me through the difficulty? Yes, yes, and yes!

Like the many others who have suffered after him, Paul allowed his adversity to become a platform for the gospel. What the Enemy hoped would thwart the gospel actually advanced it. If for no other reason than this, we should think twice before we complain about our difficult situations. It just might be that God is up to something eternal!

God's is real power clothed in apparent powerlessness; Evil's is apparent power which is really powerlessness.

Instead of getting what he wanted, he got what he needed—a deeper vision of God's grace and strength in his life.

Be Strong In The Grace That Is In Christ Jesus It was this grace or free love which first began with you, and with which you began. It was this which you at first 'apprehended,' or rather, which 'apprehended' you; and your special character is that of men who 'know the grace of God' (Col. 1:6); who have 'tasted that the Lord is gracious' (1 Pet. 2:3); men on whom God has had compassion (Rom. 9:15); men to whom He has shown His forgiving love. Such is your name.

I'd trusted in my own strength about so many things. I realized God delights in using the weak and fearful.

Being a Christian doesn't mean trouble never comes our way, Zach. It just means God is here, and He gives us the grace to get through the heartache.