The Pace of Grace Blog
Why Should I Meditate on Scripture?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.” — Psalm 119:148 The sliver of moonlight penetrating a thin gap between the slightly short blackout curtains on my bedroom window grew more intense as drawn-out minutes of sleeplessness turned into hours. I lay wide awake—yet again—trying to…
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Trusting God With Our Best-Laid Plans
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” —Proverbs 19:21 ESV I was happy to see a familiar face behind the customer service counter as I hopped into line at our local Hobby Lobby. This sweet young lady had checked…
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Short Nature Walks Can Benefit Mental Health
By Renée Gotcher
Did you know research confirms that short nature walks benefit mental health? Recent studies also report that consistent walking—and specifically walking in nature—provides significant mental health benefits to those experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. An article published in Medical News Today last summer reported that a short walk each day could reduce depression symptoms. Researchers…
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Can God Work Even This for Good?
By Renée Gotcher
I couldn’t tell you how many times I have prayed Paul’s words from the perspective-shifting promise found in Romans 8:28 while struggling to stay afloat in overwhelming storms. Believing that our sovereign God works all things (not just some) together (not separately) for His purposes provides the soul-steadying peace we need to sustain us until…
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Book Review: Draw Near
By Renée Gotcher
Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings, by my friend and fellow Life Changing Stories contributing author Hadassah Treu, is a must-read for anyone wondering if God is still at work amid turbulent trials and struggling to understand how to interpret their suffering biblically. Treu beautifully illustrates how suffering can be a catalyst…
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Book Review: Now and Not Yet
By Renée Gotcher
Now and Not Yet: Pressing In When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More, by Ruth Chou Simons, is an honest, hope-filled examination of insignificance, disappointment, and uncertainty with our “right now” circumstances. It’s a timely, transformational message packaged in a beautifully crafted hardcover book—complete with the signature artwork that makes Ruth’s books a treasure…
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Three Simple Ways to Experience Spiritual Refreshment
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: Spiritual Refreshment “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.” –Exodus 23:12 My husband and I have always loved hiking. Before we had children,…
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Does God Want Me to Be a Morning Person?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: Spiritual Discipline “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” – Mark 1:35 (ESV) I did it again this morning. I set my alarm an hour earlier than I needed to so I wouldn’t have to rush…
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How to Rely on God’s Power When Affliction Persists
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: God’s Power “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) A few years ago, I started…
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The Fallacy of a High Friends Count
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: Friendship “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” —Proverbs 18:24 When did “friend” become a verb? Not “befriend,” which means “to act as a friend of,” but just “friend,” as in, “I friended so-and-so, and…” As you probably guessed, most…
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How Joy Gives Us Strength in Our Struggles
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: Joy “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) In typical Colorado fashion, spring had been a mixed bag of alluring warmups with a few snowstorms sprinkled in. Though a little inconsistent, temperatures began to reach early summer heights, cueing the reappearance of…
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The Fruit of Patience in a Winter Season
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” — James…
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