But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says,
"God is opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble."
James 4:6
Ruth Myers shares a story of a woman who began to thank God for her ex-husband, his alcoholism and the years of loneliness and heartache she had experienced.
"As she continued to praise, she became aware of her own self-righteousness and superior attitude toward him and of the way she had been a joyless martyr, immersing herself in self-pity. She confessed her sin, acknowledging that her pride was worse than her husband's alcoholism, and kept on praising and rejoicing.
As time went by, this woman's husband, miles away with no direct influence from her, came to Christ and was delivered from his alcoholism. He returned to her and they began a new life together. For this woman, praise helped to change both her and her situation."
Day 10 Myers writes:
"I choose to thank You for my weaknesses, my infirmities, my inadequacies (physical, mental, emotional, relational)-for the ways I fall short of what people view as ideal...for my feelings of helplessness and inferiority, and even my pain and distresses. What a comfort it is to know that you understand the feeling of my weaknesses!...and that in Your infinite wisdom You have allowed these in my life so that they may contribute to Your high purposes for me.
I specifically thank You for...."
(I personally looked back to 11 years ago when I did this journal and I had written...my Mama's death, my back pain, my weight struggle, discipline problems with our kids, frustrations with their school, hurt from certain friends.)
"Thank You that many a time my weaknesses cut through my pride and help me walk humbly with You...and then, as You've promised, You give me more grace-You help and bless and strengthen me. Thank You for all the ways I'm inadequate, for they prod me to trust in You and not in myself...and I'm grateful that my adequacy comes from You, the all-sufficient God who is enough!
Thank You that I can trust You to remove or change any of my weaknesses and handicaps and shortcomings the moment they are no longer needed for Your glory, and for my good, and for the good of other people...and that in the meantime, Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness."
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