Everyone makes mistakes and faces discouraging situations from time to time. When we find ourselves struggling to deal with an issue, the problem is easier to handle when we have help and encouragement. There’s nothing wrong with asking family and friends for advice, but everyone has their human limitations. When we don’t know where to turn for guidance and comfort, we can depend on God’s grace.

Grace is unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favor from God; He’s willing to show this favor to anyone who trusts Him. He loves and accepts us just as we are, mistakes and all. When we’re hurting, He comforts and encourages us. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, NLT). The grace we receive from Him strengthens us and enables us to reach out and encourage others.

We can be tempted to condemn and blame ourselves when we realize we’ve made a mistake. We can struggle with the resulting guilt and shame and, without grace to help us move past it, we can get stuck in a bad situation. God doesn’t like seeing us suffer like this. He sent His Son to take away all our shame; having faith in what He did for us helps us break free from the shame that keeps us from moving forward in life. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

God is a good God, and He keeps His promises to help us through painful situations. He stays with us and makes His presence known, so we won’t lose hope and give up. “[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord” (Psalm 27:13, 14, AMPC). When we have the patience to wait for God instead of rushing off to find our own solution to a problem independently of Him, He’ll always show up.

God is well able to work through others, and when we listen to and follow His directions, we experience an amazing breakthrough. We need to keep an open mind when it comes to hearing from God, because sometimes He shows up in ways we don’t expect. He spoke through a bush (Exodus 3:4), through a whirlwind (Job 38:1), and even through a donkey (Numbers 22:28). He has no limitations, and there are plenty of ways He can deliver His message.

Our reliance on God allows Him to carry us through any and all difficulties. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you” (Isaiah 46:4, NLT). No matter what messes we get into, His favor toward us will never end. Believing this puts us in a position to receive it.