Note from Erin Elizabeth Austin: Katy Kauffman is a good friend of mine. I met her at a writers' conference and was instantly drawn to her kind heart, gentle spirit, and love of teaching God's Word. She has written today's post, and as you will soon see, she is a gifted writer. Her first book (a Bible study on 2 Timothy) has just been released, and I highly recommend it. If you have ever wondered if it's possible for a sick person to rise above the challenges of life and live victoriously, then you need to purchase her book (links listed at the end of the blog). Although it's not written specifically about sickness, it WILL bless and encourage you!
By Katy Kauffman
I didn’t know what to call it.
When I was twenty-six years old, it came as peace. My heart had been anxious about waiting for the one right person God wanted me to marry. I had been struggling with the fact that he wasn’t here yet. I asked for God’s help. A few months later I had the most satisfying, calming, and even joyful peace. Over time, the peace has come and gone, but when I keep my heart close to God, His peace remains.
When I was twenty-two, it came as hope. I was going through an extremely hard time, one of the most trying ever. There really wasn’t anywhere to run—except to God. Through that storm, God showed me that He was enough—to help, to rescue, to set things right. He gave me hope that things would get better. And they did.
When I was thirty-one, it came as endurance. I knew God had called me to write a book, and even though it was almost finished, I felt like giving up. So many words, so much editing and designing, so many details. How would it all get finished? But He reminded me of the book’s purpose—to bless hearts, to show how God enables us to win our spiritual battles, and to excel in the marathon race of life. So He enabled me to keep running, and the end result is a book that I know He gave me the grace to write.
I didn’t know what to call it.
When I was twenty-six years old, it came as peace. My heart had been anxious about waiting for the one right person God wanted me to marry. I had been struggling with the fact that he wasn’t here yet. I asked for God’s help. A few months later I had the most satisfying, calming, and even joyful peace. Over time, the peace has come and gone, but when I keep my heart close to God, His peace remains.
When I was twenty-two, it came as hope. I was going through an extremely hard time, one of the most trying ever. There really wasn’t anywhere to run—except to God. Through that storm, God showed me that He was enough—to help, to rescue, to set things right. He gave me hope that things would get better. And they did.
When I was thirty-one, it came as endurance. I knew God had called me to write a book, and even though it was almost finished, I felt like giving up. So many words, so much editing and designing, so many details. How would it all get finished? But He reminded me of the book’s purpose—to bless hearts, to show how God enables us to win our spiritual battles, and to excel in the marathon race of life. So He enabled me to keep running, and the end result is a book that I know He gave me the grace to write.
That’s it—grace. God’s grace isn't only His favor bestowed on us to save us. Grace is also whatever we need for the daily Christian life. God’s grace comes in different forms—peace to calm our hearts, hope to trust Him for great things, and endurance to serve Him faithfully. It comes as strength when we feel like giving up and an assurance that God will make what we do count for eternity. It’s a fresh perspective and a motivating force. We can draw from Christ whatever we need to win our battles and to run our race. His grace never runs out.
The apostle Paul told Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1, NKJV). Timothy had a difficult task before him—to preach God’s Word in a dangerous time, to stand for Christ amidst opposition, and to be a godly leader who would be targeted with persecution. So Paul told Timothy to be strong and to find in Christ everything he needed. Whatever God has called us to do—to trust Him when we feel like giving up, to serve Him when we don’t know how great our impact will be, to stand for Him when no one else does—He will give us the grace—the strength, endurance, and motivating love—to do it.
Don’t let the situation you are facing overwhelm you or the task ahead daunt you. However difficult our race becomes, we have Jesus and His grace to keep us going. However hard the fight, we have a Warrior who fights for us and who enables us to win our spiritual battles. Depend on Him. Depend on His grace.
© October 24, 2013
Don’t let the situation you are facing overwhelm you or the task ahead daunt you. However difficult our race becomes, we have Jesus and His grace to keep us going. However hard the fight, we have a Warrior who fights for us and who enables us to win our spiritual battles. Depend on Him. Depend on His grace.
© October 24, 2013
Katy Kauffman About Katy:
Katy Kauffman is a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and her first Bible Study, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory, has just been published. Her heart’s desire is for people to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. Katy graduated from Luther Rice Seminary with a BA in Religion, and makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia
Katy Kauffman is a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and her first Bible Study, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory, has just been published. Her heart’s desire is for people to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. Katy graduated from Luther Rice Seminary with a BA in Religion, and makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia
Important Links:
- To buy Katy's book, go to: http://www.amazon.com/Timothy-Winning-Victory-Katy-Kauffman/dp/0989611280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382543826&sr=8-1&keywords=2+timothy+winning+the+victory
- To follow Katy on Facebook, go to: https://www.facebook.com/KatyKauffmanAuthor
- To follow Katy on Twitter, go to @KatyKauffman28
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