Only He Renews

Sometimes, life is just too much.

My day has been hard. My long weekend has slipped away too quickly and now I’m cramming to finish my homework before the day is over. I’m on my third cup of coffee and the classical music I thought would calm my nerves seems to be doing the exact opposite.

Reading reports, tests and Biology assignments are clogging up my brain and I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. I hear the kids outside my bedroom door fighting over who gets to use the red crayon and I’m about 10 seconds away from ripping the hair out of my head.

On top of all the assignments, noisy little kids and 30+ hours of work each week, I have what feels like a million other things pulling my heart in a different direction. It doesn’t feel good. It’s too much.

After reading the same paragraph 20 times and still getting nothing, I closed my biology textbook and decided I needed to refocus. Opening my Bible and frantically hoping for a passage that promises me A’s on all my assignments, I turned page after page. By the way, there is no verse that ensures good grades in college, but I did find this:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

and this

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” – II Corinthians 9:8

and this

“And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.‘ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – II Corinthians 12:9

Instead of being overwhelmed by the things of this world that seem to be holding tight to my ankles making it impossible to take another step, I am now overwhelmed by the reality of God’s grace.

The truth is, this life IS too much. Too much pain. Too much dishonesty. Too many failing friendships. Too many harmful words. Too many tasks to accomplish. Too many tears. Too much unforgiveness. Too many broken families. Too many broken promises. Too many tired hearts. Life hurts and it smacks us down and laughs at our attempts to stand up on our own. Our fragile little bodies and scrawny hearts can’t handle the pressures of this world.

But there is One who has the ability to renew our strength. He doesn’t promise an easy life, or a world free of disappointment. And no, unfortunately for the struggling college student, he does not promise a flawless GPA. But He does promise us grace. Grace to accomplish exactly what He desires us to accomplish. His grace is too much for the pains of this world to stand up to. The aches of our hearts and the busy calendars on our walls that seem so dominant all shrink in inferiority when compared to the grace of God.

God’s grace can carry us through any ocean of hurt, and He can give us peace during those late nights spent doing everything we didn’t have time for earlier. But God’s grace doesn’t always make the things overwhelming us miraculously disappear. Sometimes He shows us grace by simply holding our hand as we walk.

Next time you feel the weight of this world resting too heavy on your shoulders, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for any situation or circumstance.

Nothing is too much for Him, sweet girl.