Carried and Sustained
Carried and Sustained
By Dianne Prince
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)
We often speak of the grace of God, but to grasp its depth we must understand what grace truly means:
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Grace is unearned favor. It is God’s loving kindness and mercy extended to us, not because of what we have done, but because of who He is. Grace is a gift, freely given, never earned.
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Grace brings forgiveness and salvation. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s grace covers our sins and welcomes us into His presence despite our imperfections.
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Grace empowers and sustains us. It is not only about forgiveness. Grace strengthens us to live each day with hope, even when we feel inadequate or broken.
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Grace is relational. It draws us closer to God and enables us to extend patience, mercy, and love—even to those who are difficult to love.
In short, God’s grace is His unmerited favor, His empowering presence, and His steadfast love poured into our lives daily.
Imagine yourself drowning in a lake. You are struggling, panicking, and realizing that your efforts cannot save you. Then, a rescuer leaps in and pulls you to safety. You did not earn it, you did not deserve it, and no amount of striving could have saved you. Yet now you are safe because of another person’s action.
That is what God’s grace is like. We are the ones weighed down by sin, mistakes, and hardships. Yet God reaches out, rescues us, and continues to guide us—not because we earned it, but because He loves us.
His grace is more than a rescue. It is a gift, a source of strength, and the power that enables us to live with courage, joy, and hope. Walk in it with confidence, knowing you are forgiven, you are cared for, and you are carried when you cannot carry yourself.
