Have you ever been at the end of your rope? You have exhausted your resources and you feel like you can’t hang on much longer. I was recently reading the Beatitudes again, this time in the Message, by Eugene Petersen. I love the way he puts the first beatitude:
Matthew 5:3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.”
As you read this, you might find yourself in a situation right now where you are at the brink of giving up. It is possible that you are finding yourself stuck in toxic hurts or habit patterns that are detrimental to both you and the relationships you have, and you are unsure of what to do about it. Making a humble admission that I am unable to change myself and that I have no control over anything is the very first step in the process of restoration.
During his own life, even the great Apostle Paul came to this realisation when he revealed the personal struggle that he was experiencing within his own soul. He makes the humble admission:
Romans 7:15-17 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”
Can you relate to Paul here? If we are being truthful, then we all can! The good news is that these walls in our lives that have kept us frozen and prevented the flow of God’s presence and power can be melted away by the grace that God offers. But how do we access that grace?
Through humility, we are able to make His grace available to us when we sincerely admit that we are in need of both God and other people. Remember God’s promise:
James 4:6 “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Grace is the empowering presence of God and with His presence comes a renewed desire to do His will. When we humbly acknowledge our need for grace, God lavishes it upon us.
There is a good chance that God will bless you if you are in a situation where f you’re at the end of your rope, you’re in a good place for God to bless you. Humbly admit your need for God and make room for His grace to flow! A great place to begin is on your knees in prayer. As you worship God, humble yourself and acknowledge your need for His grace. Then claim the promise of His grace in James 4:6 and experience His power that changes you from the inside out.