But for the grace of God go I.
My sister, Judy, encouraged me to study grace. God's grace is simple yet complicated. I suspect that I'm the one complicating it. My counselor wondered why it was that I wasn't a drug addict, alcoholic, or promiscuous. My answer, But for the grace of God go I. I used this statement referring to myself. I chose God's grace or I would probably have done all three or committed suicide. Most likely the last. I think the error with this statement is applying it to someone else. I believe that this statement works only as a self-realization that I would be in a bigger mess if I hadn't turned to God. Telling someone else this statement burdens them with guilt, inadequacy, bewilderment, and many other negative feelings for there is just a hint of 'I'm better than you that you have these problems and I don't.' Sadly, rather than comforting the person in crisis, there is another layer added of doubting themselves, questioning God, and deepening distress. I believe when comforting someone else I need to use the platinum rule, "Do unto others as they would like to be done unto them." May I have the grace and compassion to seek to comfort another. I need to leave their self realization to themselves. Sit with those in crisis. Ask how I can serve them. Show them God's grace by my behavior rather than words that scrape against tender hearts.
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| God's Grace a personal struggle |
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