Love & Grace: A Powerful Duo to Do God’s Will

by Katy Kauffman

I wasn’t sure they would go away. After having blood tests, a CT scan, and an upper endoscopy, I wanted each problem with my GI condition to have a name, a diagnosis, and I wondered if everything would get better. I was weary of the side effects of my medicine—muscle weakness, brain fog, and fatigue—but I knew they could be much worse.

I like to stay busy, but some days I had to stop even my quiet time and lie down on my left side and cry. I’d turn my focus upward and pray for friends whose conditions are far worse than mine.

One day I prayed about my own health, and it was like God whispered a phrase to my mind. Not one I expected. “Love Me through it.”

He didn’t promise a cure but offered a remedy for my desperation—love. If I loved Him through the “hard,” it would keep my focus on Him and my heart close to His. It would keep me abiding in hope that things could get better because He loves me and has a good plan for me. Even if the struggle continued, I would find strength in doing daily life with Him, filled with love and adventure.

When we receive God’s love and love Him back, we find a strength—a grace—that propels us forward. Even if we need to sit and cry and pray. Even when everything is not calm or settled in our lives, God’s love motivates us to make a difference for His kingdom.

After all, God’s kingdom is a kingdom of love.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13 NKJV)

Have you ever thought of God’s kingdom as a kingdom of love? Have you ever thought of love as a sustaining grace? Jesus told us to abide in His love.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.” (John 15:9 AKJV)

This love can make us feel complete—we’re wanted and valued. We have Someone who can help us handle anything in life. Jesus faced so many temptations and challenges when He walked this earth, so He can help us with ours.

This is a perfect love that holds us close to God every day, a forever love that will never leave us or forsake us.

No wonder God’s whisper to my heart included love. God’s love, full of kindness, goodness, and strength, enables us to persevere and adds joy back to life. We get to know Him more and more. We get to live out the adventures He designs for us. We get to see Him turn detours into scenic vistas, as we watch Him work in our lives as only He can.

I’ve seen God work good out of my health challenges. Have you seen Him help you with your challenges, whatever form they have taken? He has helped me to slow down and learn how to have a peace-filled heart. He has helped me to be more mindful of others’ challenges and pray for them. I’m eating healthier and establishing patterns of work and rest that help me to feel better now and prolong life for later. Seeking God in the “hard” has helped me to know Him better than ever and build an unshakeable connection to Him. Good things. Excellent things. Worth the struggle.

Do you need God’s love to sustain you right now through a struggle? May your heart be filled with His love, and may a focus on Him help you to persevere so you can see how He can work this for good. God pours His love into us, which always gives us hope.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NKJV)

How does God’s love help you to persevere? May His love infuse your heart with grace to keep trusting Him and making a difference for His kingdom.