When anguish and upset strike, the most natural human instinct is to retreat. When our bodies fail us through health issues, when we watch our families suffer, or when life simply piles on too many burdens at once, it is tempting to step back into the shadows. We want to pull away, to nurse our wounds in isolation, and sometimes, if we are honest, to pull away from God.
But it is precisely in these times of trouble that we are called to do the opposite. We are called to lean in.
The Reality of the Attack
It is vital to recognise that our struggles are not always just biological or circumstantial; they are often spiritual. Sometimes, the church community we call home comes under heavy spiritual attack. Sometimes, those crosshairs are placed squarely on our own backs as individuals.
When you feel a distinct calling on your life—a purpose you are meant to step into—you can almost guarantee that the enemy will try to stand between you and that calling. The devil thrives in the space between our current reality and our God-given purpose, using poor health, familial strife, and sheer exhaustion as roadblocks to keep us from moving forward. The goal of these attacks is simple: to make you doubt your faith and distance yourself from your Creator.
His Grace is Sufficient
When the attacks come, the modern world often tells us to look inward, shouting the mantra: “You are enough!” But when you are drained by illness and spiritual warfare, looking inward only reveals an empty tank.
The beautiful, biblical truth is far more relieving: You don’t have to be enough on your own, because His grace is enough for you.
When the Apostle Paul begged God to remove a painful physical ailment—his “thorn in the flesh”—Christ responded with a promise that anchors us in our darkest moments:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Faith will see you through, not because you have the strength to weather the storm, but because faith connects you to the One who controls the wind and the waves. When we are weak, navigating hospital appointments, familial heartache, or a church in turmoil, Christ’s power rests upon us.
The Gift of Grace
Faith does not guarantee a life free from trouble, but it does guarantee grace. It gives us the grace to wake up and face another difficult day. It gives us the grace to forgive those who hurt us. It gives us the grace to keep walking toward our calling, even when the devil is trying to barricade the road.
If you are in a season of anguish today, do not step back. Do not let the enemy convince you that isolation is the answer. Lean into Christ. Bring Him your exhaustion, your physical pain, and your battered spirit. In the spaces where you feel you are not enough, His grace will fill the gaps.