“My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:9

Our lives can change in an instant!  For the people of Huntington, West Virginia, that happened on Saturday, November 14, 1970. The Marshall University football team, returning from a 17-14 loss to East Carolina University, was tragically killed in an airplane crash described as “the worst in sports history”. Seventy-five people lost their lives that night including players, coaches, staff, boosters and crew. The movie, We Are Marshall, tells the story of how Coach Jack Lengyel rebuilds the Marshall football program as its new head coach. Coach Lengyel brings a “hope never dies” mentality to the challenge of not only getting a team back on the field, but helping a community rise from the ashes. In the time of their greatest weakness, this community found strength in each other. A spirit of love compelled them to move forward.

Bad things happen and we often ask God to take our pain and suffering away. That is not His way. The good news is, God promises us His grace and love is all we need. We don’t have to ask God to make His grace and love sufficient, it is! In our times of greatest weakness and need, God is with us. Though none of us like to go through pain and suffering, we would probably agree that we are never closer to God than during those times. The Apostle Paul is saying if he is closer to Jesus in hard times, bring them on! What about you? Are you going through some tough times? You have God’s promise that His grace and love are enough to get you through.

Heavenly Father, thank You for your promises of grace and love. Thank You for walking with me as I meet the challenges of today. Teach me that YOU are all I need. Amen.