I settle in on a lovely morning, coffee next to me, ready to begin my work for the day. Then my thoughts shift to recent mistakes I’ve made, words I wish I could unsay, things I would do differently now that I know more. I feel so human in this moment, and I hear a familiar lie, “God doesn’t want to use you anymore because…”
Have you ever heard this too? We can fill in the blank in a million different ways:
Because you’re broken.
Because you struggle with anger, addiction, anxiety.
Because you’re not spiritual enough.
Because you did that ONE thing years ago that can never be erased.
Can we pause together and see this lie for what it is? An attempt from the enemy of our hearts to make us believe we’re disqualified. But when I look at the pages of Scripture, I don’t see God disqualifying people. Instead, I witness God choosing the most unlikely.
Let’s consider two: David the adulterer and Peter the quick-tempered denier (false labels we might use as humans). What we need to see in these stories is that these people made their worst mistakes after God called them. David was a shepherd boy already placed on a throne. Peter walked with Jesus and saw miracles firsthand. And yet they still made devastating decisions.
Sometimes we hear dramatic testimonies of people whose lives drastically changed when they came to know Jesus. We can get the impression that grace is for those who don’t yet know God, but once we do, then we’d better get everything right. But grace is not just for salvation. It’s for the daily slip-ups, the ongoing struggles, the regrets that wake us up in the night.
Peter comes to Jesus and asks, “’Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?’” (Matthew 18:21 CSB). This verse makes me laugh a little because it appears Peter has HAD IT with someone. He wants to know when he can be DONE.
“I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Most scholars believe that this is a figure of speech that implies we are to forgive an infinite number of times. We, like Peter, can come to the end of our patience or tolerance. So it’s easy to imagine God doing the same with us.
But here is the difference: we are limited and God is limitless. He doesn’t just love. He is love. He has also seen everything humans have done since the beginning of time, starting in the Garden of Eden. He has heard every thought, knows every secret. We sometimes act as if God is naïve. But He shows mercy with His eyes wide open.
We can’t shock Him so much that He will give up on us. We can’t fall so many times that He will refuse to pick us up. We can’t push Him past the limits of His love for us. When a voice whispers, “You are disqualified” or “You’ve blown it one too many times,” it is not the One who calls us beloved.
What God asks of us isn’t perfection; it’s to keep showing up and trying again. When we dare to do so, God doesn’t stand back in disappointment, He rejoices like a parent watching their child learn to walk.
Wherever you are today, whatever you have done, God is not finished with you. If you have breath in your lungs, if you have grace to share, if you have a heart willing to love, then He wants to use you. The stories that give Him the most glory aren’t the tidy ones; they are the ones that include two words: But God.
I struggled with something for years, but God…
I made mistakes that I regret, but God…
I wanted to give up, but God…
Where do you need a “but God” in your life right now? Pause and give Him whatever is causing you shame, guilt, discouragement, or fear. He is strong enough to hold all of it and loving enough to hold you too. He wants to use even your weaknesses and failures to show His strength and faithfulness.
If you’re not sure how God wants to use you, Holley’s new course, Find Your Purpose in this Season, will help you figure it out! PLUS she has something special for the first 100 people to sign up (update: there are less than 20 left).
I have been blessed beyond words to have learned alongside 3-6th graders for over 2 decades now. I often point out the “But God” points in the Bible accounts. I tell them 2 of my favorite words are “But God”. And I say them in my best James Earl Jones imitation to emphasize the richness of Who He is & what He has done. “But God” defies Satan’s lies & all our fears! Blessings (((0)))
Holly thank you for your devotional today. It has really spoke to. God has said in all my fault in life. Having no friends hardly as the best ones live 86 miles away. One I hardly ever see as she is busy. Being left out about importance family things I should be told away. Being treated the same as others in my family. I do regret the mistakes I done and said in my life. People doing things that hurt me and others that I love. I give all this to God. I have repented to God ask his forgiveness in all these things. If not I wouldn’t be doing this person cleaning of their home. Monday to Friday. As they need it Dom that many time. As elderly make messes they don’t know they do can’t do it for themselves any more. I told them that and that I was praying for their salvation as not saved. I told them I will never stop praying for their salvation. I know they will never say sorry for the hurt to me. They think they did nothing wrong. God said they will not change untill they get saved. I don’t let it annoy me anymore. I go do there home in the Love of the Lord and the Love for them. I will never stop praying for them and their salvation. God told me this through a good friend of mine that lives 86 miles away. That I was to forgive them as they know not what they are doing. The words Jesus spoke on the cross. They don’t know what they are doing. They think they have done nothing wrong. I probably even if they get saved before they die never get the sorry. But I am glad I forgive them. God also showed me. “My Grace Is Ignificant” God told me to help me through it all even my mistakes and sins. How true that is. I know God has forgiven me for all my wrong and helped me for others so I not let it get to me. Holly thank you again for today’s devotion. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
But God, has been my reigning praise, as I too find my way through my faults. Thank you for confirming His purpose for my life, But God!
Thank you for sharing this encouragement!
I am struggling through this issue right now.
I am a recovering addict, and often believe that God has called me to start, and lead a recovery ministry. But those lies of the enemy have kept me from doing so.
This is a perfect reminder of His forgiveness, grace and unconditional love to ALL His children.
Thank you, Holley! Your words are a comfort.
Oh how I needed to hear this! Thank you. And thank you, Lord!
This was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Wish I had read it when I was tossing and turning early this morning with the anxiety and regret reel playing in my head. Thank you.
Dear Holley…………….I really loved your devotional today. It made me smile and also more importantly, I finally know that I got my message from God ,but was worrying so much about so many things, I didn’t here it, but I am getting up in all my struggles and trying again. I will be honest that there is 1 “But God” that I do have trouble with stopping it. That is, “How long do I have to wait for these serious things to hopefully be resolved at some point. I am trying to tell myself not to worry as God works in different ways and we don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. My work life required me to solve issues ASAP, so even though I am retired, I believe my mind is still in work mode as I loved that job of 35 years. So, Holley, thank you for waking my mind up and knowing that I already got a message from God. This will surely help me to keep on and not consider giving up. I always love your words when I see that they have come from you. The ( incourage ) community of women have been very important to me when I have one of those days I call “Sorrow Days” when I cry and pray the whole day through and get it out of my system. I am alone and that does not help. I send you Holley, my love and wish you a blessed weekend. I will read all those scriptures you mentioned and that will also help me……………..Thank you again…..Betsy Basile
Thank you Holly for such wonderful encouragement this morning. I needed it and will save it. I struggle with anxiety and a debilitating back condition which prevents me from doing the things I was always able to do before. I was always so strong and healthy all my life. I am 78 now and grieve for those days. But I am able and do pray for my husband, family, friends and neighbors. So I guess that’s the most important thing I can do for others and I thank Him for that wonderful gift of prayer and all His many blessings to me. God’s richest blessings to you all.
Thank you for this! Words I need to hear and remember.