“He Giveth More Grace” - Annie Flint

1866–1932

“I’m at the end of my rope.”

Most people have said that at one time or another, or at least felt it. It means things are really tough. You don’t know what to do. You’re not sure you have the strength to keep on going.

Annie Flint reached the end of her rope several times. By her early twenties, she had been orphaned twice—first by her natural parents, who died when she was young, and then by her adopted parents, who died within a few months of each other. She didn’t have much money, and she had a younger sister to support. Teaching provided income until she developed debilitating arthritis. Doctors told her she would live the rest of her life as an invalid.

She turned to writing poetry and creating handwritten cards and books. Holding a pen for long periods of time could not have been easy for someone with severe arthritis, but she found the strength to do it. Eventually, she wrote for magazines and she published some books. Most of her earnings went toward her medical care.

What kept her going when she probably wanted to throw away her pen and paper because of the pain? Her well-known hymn “He Giveth More Grace” might contain the answer.

The gist of the text is that when we face difficult circumstances, God gives us even more ability to cope. When our problems pile up, his grace grows even greater. As Annie put it, “When we have exhausted our store of endurance . . . our Father’s full giving is only begun.”

This concept is consistent with biblical teaching. Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem but pauses to note that the Lord’s mercies “begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23). Paul prays for the removal of the painful “thorn in my flesh” that’s apparently hurting his ministry, but God offers him grace instead—that should be enough for him (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). James assures us that our trials are “an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2), because we grow through them.

When you’ve reached the end of your rope, or in the words of the song, “the end of [your] hoarded resources,” it’s good to know that God’s lifeline has no end to it. He keeps giving and giving and giving.

My grace is all you need.

2 Corinthians 12:9