A few thoughts on Grace

I have been out of the country for about a year. This means that my knowledge of family events was pretty limited; mostly a smattering of information that somehow filtered across the ocean via e-mails.

Thus I have been a little surprised to hear about the rough year many people in my extended and immediate family have had. I've got a lot of family (about 80 some-odd individuals on my mother's side, 50 or so on my father's side), so we are bound to have our fair share of trials. This year, though, seems rougher than usual. Between death, disease, divorce, and debt, not to mention spiritual struggles, I was a bit taken back.

So I have spent some time thinking about trials during my scripture study.

God has declared that he will try his people in all things (D&C 136:31). Taking it a step further, God says that his people must be tried “even as Abraham” in order to be worthy of his kingdom (D&C 101:4; see Genesis 22: 1-12 for the Abraham story).

Sometimes it seems that these trials are either too difficult or unfair, which are both apt judgments. Oft times the struggles we face are not of our own making. Even those that are seem beyond our individual capacity to overcome or to endure in a faithful manner.

Because of this, the Lord provides a promise. He has stated, “my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me” (Ether 12: 27).

What then is this grace?

Grace is “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification” (Merriam-Webster online dictionary). We often think of this assistance coming in the form of angels or miracles or God's pardons at the final judgment day. I think, though, that this is problematic, as it makes us imagine grace as something out of our immediate reach.

On the contrary, the gospel of Jesus Christ, including his grace, can be active in our lives (Alma 34:31). So where does grace fit in our everyday life?

For me it comes in the form of a friend when I need one. Or a calling to work with the young men in a branch in Indonesia. Or a beautiful sunrise or flower. Or a piece of pizza or chocolate. Or the blessing that comes with forgetting the pain of an experience, even when I think I don't want to or won't be able to. In essence, God's grace emerges in my life in the tender mercies I experience each day (1 Ne 1:20; see also this talk by David Bednar).

Of course, I could view most of these things as chance occurrences, but I don't think they are. I believe that God, as a loving Father, knew that this world would be difficult and painful. Much of this would be necessary; much would just be the consequences of our own or others' agency. Because God will not violate man's freedom of choice, which meant that he couldn't protect us from pain, he, through his grace, sent these blessings to help us through. 

Even, or perhaps especially, when we don't deserve them. Remember that grace is "unmerited."

And so, when I hear of the difficulties others face or I become wrapped up in my own self pity, it helps me to remember that His grace is sufficient, so long as I humble myself and seek to recognize His hand in my life. It doesn't always provide immediate relief, but eventually God lets me know he is there.