The Pace of Grace Blog
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 
An Unexpected Harvest
By Renée Gotcher
Today I’m sharing one of my devotions, “An Unexpected Harvest,” in a very special place: On the Proverbs 31 Ministries website, in the Encouragement for Today devotions series! What an honor to be among the excellent writers featured here—I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share what God placed on my heart with all…
Read More 
When God’s Will Doesn’t Include Healing
By Renée Gotcher
Transforming Truth: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he…
Read More 
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…
Read More 
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…
Read More 
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…
Read More 
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…
Read More 
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…
Read More 