The Pace of Grace Blog
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…
Read More 
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…
Read More 
Faith to Face an Empty Nest
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” — Matthew 6:26 (ESV) Last summer, my husband and I took a short retreat to camp on the shores of one of…
Read More 
Can Flowers Fuel Your Faith?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and…
Read More 
When Christmas Isn’t Picture Perfect
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” —Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV) It’s Christmas Eve, and because we…
Read More 
How Can I Be Thankful in All Circumstances?
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) Have you ever been floored by a crisis that hit at the absolute worst time, in the worst way? And you can’t imagine how you will move forward…
Read More 
Clashing With Spiritual Siblings? How to Show Honor When You Disagree
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” –Romans 12:10 (ESV) As with your biological family, it is easy to love your spiritual family, brothers and sisters in Christ, until they adamantly disagree with you. Unfortunately, social media makes it even easier for fellow believers to tear one another…
Read More 
Moving Past the Prayer Emoji
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” –Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) Although I know it’s not a healthy habit, I often find myself rolling over in bed to check my…
Read More 
Why Impatience is Costing You Peace
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…” – Psalm 37:7ab (NKJV) Last year, an unexpected opportunity prompted my family to seriously consider making a significant change: moving from the bustling town we’d called home for more than 15 years to a rural property in the Colorado mountains. Although my husband and…
Read More 
Hope is a Person—Not a Process
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” –Hebrews 6:19 (ESV) A quick scroll through your social media feed at the beginning of a new year will likely reveal countless New Year motivational quotes and affirmations that sound…
Read More 
Five Ways to Slow Down and Savor the Season
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2 I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like the retail rush into the Christmas holiday hits…
Read More 
Grateful for His Goodness When Life Feels out of Control
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: Gratitude “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1 This November marks three years since I started my journey to relieve anxiety, restore peace, and revive hope by stepping outside for soul-soothing walks with the Lord during a desperate season of resurfacing physical…
Read More 