"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Recently I have been struggling to "redeem" myself through my own personal "works" and each time I have failed because I can't do it on my own.  I know deep down that there is no use in striving to redeem myself on my own terms and yet I continue to do it. Each time I fail, it reminds me of what Paul says about having a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of satan. Paul pleaded three time for God to take it away, and each time God replied "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. " So each time I fail I remember Paul and I remember what God says to him because that is exactly what He is saying to me...Be still and know that I Am God.