Rick Warren's Blog, page 594

Through God���s Grace, Your Pain Has a Purpose

As a pastor, I meet hurting people all the time. You can take two people, put them in the same difficult situation, and one of them is devastated by it while the other demonstrates a sweet spirit. How is that possible? It���s possible because one of them is relying on the sustaining grace of God.

Spiritual Growth Happens By Grace, Not Good Works

God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way. That���s one of the most comforting truths about God that we can rest our spiritual growth upon.

God���s Grace Covers Your Guilt

Guilt is basic to the human existence. Since no one is perfect, we all are tempted by guilt over our past mistakes. Sin brings guilt.

That means our need for grace is as basic to our lives as the existence of guilt.

To Reduce Your Fear of Failure, Redefine It

Never forget this truth: Failure probably won���t kill you.

We vastly exaggerate the effects of failure. We blow the prospects of failing all out of proportion. Failing is not the end of the world. The fear of failure is far more damaging than failure.

You Need to Accept the Reality of Failure

In America, failure is almost the unpardonable sin. We idolize success. But that kind of pressure creates major stress on people. The fear of failure has many different faces. It can cause you to be indecisive, a workaholic, and a perfectionist and cling to safety. Because we���re afraid to fail, we shun all kinds of risks.

God���s Grace Is for Everyone ��� Even You

God���s grace doesn���t play favorites. Regardless of your status, your background, and the sins you have committed, God loves you.

God���s grace is for everyone. And God���s grace is for you.

How Do You Get God���s Grace?

Heaven will be amazing. You���ll be reunited with loved ones who know the Lord. You���re going to be rewarded for your faith. You���re going to be reassigned a position of work that you love to do. You���ll be released from pain, depression, despair, shame, and guilt.

Grace Is Free, But It���s Not Cheap

If you looked in your mail today and found a free gift waiting for you, it wouldn���t really be free. Someone paid for it at some point.

The same is true of God���s grace. It���s totally and completely free to you, but someone paid for it ��� Jesus.

God���s Grace Gives You a Reason to Celebrate

You can���t earn grace. You can���t work for it. You don���t deserve it.

The Bible teaches, ���For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ��� and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ��� not by works, so that no one can boast��� (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

You Can���t Get to Heaven on Your Own

Most of the world figures they know how to get to Heaven. Ask 10 people, and you���ll likely hear answers like, ���Just work real hard,��� ���Do more good than bad,��� and ���Be nice to people.���