Peace Comes From Knowing Who You Are

Peace Comes from Knowing Who You Are

[Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

I have a confession to make: I’m not perfect. Not only am I not perfect, I’m sometimes downright difficult to be around. Just ask my children. I also make mistakes—plenty of them—big ones and small ones. I’ll probably make some today.

I have another confession: I’m no longer all that surprised or ashamed by my bad behavior or my many mistakes, though I do grieve over them. The reason I’m not surprised is that I’ve come to realize who I am: a sinner, broken and weak, but loved and cherished by a God who forgives me. Knowing who I am and who God is has given me the ability to face myself more honestly and with greater peace. I know the bottom won’t fall out if I do something wrong. I also know that more depends on God than it does on me.

I’m not trying to dodge responsibility for my actions, but I have come to realize that God has always helped me far more than I’ve been able to help myself. The best way for me to grow, then, is by responding to God’s grace initiatives rather than embarking on my own program of self-improvement.

A friend of mine used to say, “Never let your trying be greater than your trusting.” He wasn’t saying we shouldn’t try; he meant that in the Christian life, trust should always trump effort.

One sure sign that we haven’t come to terms with who we are is defensiveness about our weaknesses. We can’t admit we are not the women we should be. Nor do we believe God is big enough or kind enough to love us. The opposite reaction—beating ourselves up over our many failures—often signals the same problem.

If you are not yet at peace in your identity as a sinful woman saved by grace, ask God today to reveal two things to you: his great mercy and your great need of it. That’s a combination that will make for peace.

Jesus, you knew exactly the kind of people you were dying for—sinful people. I’m one of them. Thank you for saving, loving, and forgiving me. Please help me trust you today as I face things in me that need to change.