Life’s Limitations and God’s Grace

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

What a beautiful promise! And the best thing about this promise is that it’s for now. For here. On this earth, every day as we live our lives. Yet there’s also these things called limitations, and life sure has a way of throwing them at us. And when the two meet, it can feel like the limitations win out, while abundant life shrivels in defeat.

So, may I share what God has been teaching me?

I’m not here to complain or compare. Complaining isn’t helpful to anyone; and comparison would surely reveal that some of you have much more difficult troubles than I do. I am here to offer some comfort and encouragement. And to best do that, I want to share a little of the personal context from which I’m speaking.

As some of you may know, chronic health issues have been a part of my life for a long time. Asthma, PCOS, and more recently, IBS. Riding on the shoulders of these (the symptoms of which are varyingly manageable, thankfully) is chronic fatigue, enhanced by periodic insomnia. In fact, I began writing this post at 1:00 a.m. on my notes app, lol!

I think that for a while, when I was younger, I thought that there would be some magic age I would reach. Suddenly, I would turn into the energizer bunny, able to fulfil all my great ambitions for serving God and living a fulfilling life. Instead, I have found that I need to filter almost every decision through the lens of, “Can my energy level sustain this?” I’m trying to accept that my future could look very different from what I would have chosen.

How about you?

Maybe you’re also dealing with chronic illness, struggling with normal life things that those with good health take for granted. Battling just to show up each day, feeling like your body betrays you.

Or maybe that’s not your struggle at all.

Maybe it’s something haunting you from your past, the results of choices that you wish you could go back and undo.

Maybe you’re an older woman and you simply can’t accomplish what you used to.

Maybe you’re a young mom, trying to get through another overwhelming day on an impossibly small amount of sleep.

Maybe you’re a single woman, dealing with the limitations that doing life more or less alone can bring.

Maybe you are stuck in a job you dislike but can’t leave.

Maybe you’re a wife and mom, limited by your teenage children’s hectic schedules and the never-ending need of your family.

Maybe you’re a young girl with big dreams and ambitions, held back by your age and lack of life experience.

Maybe you’re a weary ministry leader, feeling the pressure of constant demands and you own inability to meet all the needs of those around you.

Maybe you compare yourself to other women and feel inadequate. If only you had her talents, personality, or physical appearance, then what a success you could be!

We all have limitations…be they physical, mental/emotional, financial, or circumstantial. The question is, how do we find our way? Can the life more abundant that Jesus promised be available to us in our situation?

A resounding yes!

God is not limited by what limits us.

Oh, how easily I lose sight of this simple truth. We are frustrated by our limitations, but God is not. He is unlimited, and our weakness does not hinder Him. In fact, He loves to use us in our weakness because then He gets the glory.

Every person that God used in Scripture was weak and inadequate. Noah? I’m sure building an ark sounded impossible. Sarah? She was too old to have a baby. Moses? He couldn’t speak (or at least thought so, with his “heretofore” and “eloquently”). Ruth? She was a foreigner and a widow. David? He was but a youth. Esther? She was an orphan. Jeremiah? He was young and scared. Paul? He had a thorn in the flesh that constantly plagued him. On and on the list could go!

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;…

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:26-27, 29-31).

Friend, He knows your heart. He knows your desires. The limitations He allows do not come from a place of cruelty, to hurt you or to disappoint you. Rather, He wants to use even your limitations for His glory.

The Mercy Seat is always open.

Others may not understand, but your Savior does. Have you ever considered that by putting on a body of flesh and coming to this earth, Christ limited Himself so that He could experience humanity? He could have come as an adult—He chose to be born as a helpless baby. He allowed Himself to be hungry, thirsty, cold and weary. Most incredibly, He allowed others to mistreat Him, when in His power He could have easily destroyed them.

When I am overwhelmed by my limitations, I have a Refuge. So do you! Jesus is ever ready and willing to hear your cry, and give you His strength. He is big enough to handle your frustration and questions. You will never scare Him away by being honest.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:2)

This, my friend, is abundant life. Not a perfect or easy life, since we weren’t promised that. But we can find a victorious life as we cling to Jesus. He is enough. He is our Righteousness, our Salvation, our Peace, our Healer, our Provider, our Hope, our all in all.

Jesus knows the limitations that we face, because He also experienced them. And when He offered us abundant life, He did so knowing full well all the limitations of our humanity.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Accept His grace.

One of my classes this year involved learning from the children of Israel in the wilderness. One night in particular focused on the sin of complaining, and oh my, was I convicted! It’s so easy to complain without even realizing what we’re doing!

Now, I’m not here to tell you to just “get over it” and “toughen up.” It’s not always that simple. Sometimes you are hurting deeply, and it all gets so very heavy to carry.

But I am here to tell you that you don’t have to wallow in bitterness and defeat. God offers you grace. Please, please accept it. Let Him help you put a genuine smile on your face. Let Him help you sing His praise, because He is always worthy. Let Him help you be “rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Let Him even make you a blessing and encouragement to others!

Now for some practical ways to deal with limitations:

One day at a time.

One foot in front of the other. One “next thing.” One more day. To look at your future and see nothing but limitations is overwhelming. But you’re living this moment; tomorrow is in God’s hands. He will get you through tomorrow, just like He got you through yesterday and is getting you through today.

On a super practical level, when I am dealing with really bad brain fog, I’ve found that it’s helpful to just press forward with the next thing. Whether big or small, just take that next step.

Ask yourself, “What needs to be done next?” Okay, do that. Don’t worry about tomorrow, or next week, or two years from now. Simply do the next thing. (This can apply to any situation where you are feeling overwhelmed.)

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

It’s okay to ask for help! Chronic illness can be a very humbling thing. So many times, I’ve had to admit that I simply cannot do what should be easy to do. It’s not conceding defeat to ask for help. It does not mean you’re a failure. It actually means that you are wise in recognizing your limitations and dealing with them gracefully.

If I don’t do that and try to push ahead on my own, I usually end up—well, let’s put it this way: just a hot mess! When there are people willing to help you, even with little things, it’s okay to accept their help. That’s what family and friends are for, to help and support each other.

Also, learn to graciously say no when you need to. You can’t do everything, and that is perfectly alright.

Turn comparison into inspiration.

One of the greatest temptations to discontentment comes when we compare ourselves to each other. And I think, hopefully, that we are all aware of our tendencies to this and how harmful it can be. But how about making a twist on comparison? We can find inspiration from others who have difficulties, yet who overcome in spite of their problems.

Someone like Joni Eareckson Tada, who has lived as a paraplegic for most of her life. Or Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs. Or maybe someone closer to home, in your church or family—someone who is just quietly faithful in spite of life throwing some tough curveballs. Sometimes it helps to realize, “If she (or he) can do it, I can too. If she can face what she has and still have gratitude, then I can also choose to rejoice in the Lord.”

In closing.

What if our limitations become opportunities? Opportunities for the Lord to show Himself strong; to make us more like Him; to increase our faith; and to draw us closer to each other. What if, in all our limitations, we looked to the Mighty One Who has never faced a problem too great for His power? What if, instead of looking for a way out, we looked for His strength? What if someday we could even accept our limitations as gifts, because through them, the Lord is going to show us more of His glory?

With mercy and with judgment,
my web of time He wove;
And aye, the dews of sorrow
were lustered with His love.
I’ll bless the Hand that guided;
I’ll bless the Heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth,
In Immanuel’s land.

Anne Ross Cousin