Courtney Fidell - Grace is Enough: A 30-Day Christian Devotional to Help Women Turn Anxiety and Insecurity into Confidence

Let each day of this devotional comfort you and meet you where you are today. You can read the book from start to finish, or select a topic that speaks to whatever you are feeling at this moment.

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

I am a Jesus follower, a mother of two, and a pastors wife. I am also broken. There was a time in my life as a Christian and as a leader in the church when I felt like I had to have my act together at all times. I believed I had to keep a face on that hid my daily struggles. I was embarrassed by my personal shortcomings and I hoped no one would ever notice them.

But these were lies I told myself. These were lies from the enemy and what the enemy intended for harm actually led to healing, strength, and confidence in Jesus name.

My name is Courtney and I dont have it all together. Im human, and like everyone, I get impatient. I struggle with anxious thoughts. I lose my temper. I often dont feel qualified. I find myself living in an achievement mindset and feel less than when I dont meet the expectations around me. Its exhausting and its draining, and I know Im not alone in feeling this way. If youve picked up this devotional, I imagine you feel the same anxieties and insecurities from time to time. But it doesnt have to be this way.

There is grace.

I dont mean the grace we extend to one another in this fallen world. I am referring to perfect grace. It is pure and it covers everything. It is an unconditional grace that is free for the taking. It is an eternal grace that comes from Jesus Christ.

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When my husband Miles and I started our church, Auburn Community Church in Auburn, Alabama, I was in my mid-twenties and about as inexperienced as they come. Not only did I feel ill-prepared in my position as a pastors wife, but suddenly my life felt like a fishbowl. I assumed everyone was watching and waiting for me to mess up, so I quickly decided to try and hide my sin and shame with a mask that our family had everything together.

However, I soon realized that my brokenness wasnt something I should be hiding. As we see in the Bible time and time again, God doesnt choose the person that is the most experienced or has their life together. He doesnt choose the person that might look the best on paper (or on social media). He chooses the broken. He chooses the unqualified. And He chose me.

He took my lack of experience and used it to mold me into the woman He was calling me to be. Not the woman I thought I was supposed to be, but the woman He created me to be. He took my shame and instead of hiding it in the dark, He called me to put it out in the open so I could experience healing that only comes in the light. He called me to do this so that I could share this good news with others.

Its okay to not have it all together. Let me say that again. Its okay to not have it all together.

We are a fallen people living in a fallen world. Were not supposed to have it all together. If we did, we wouldnt need a Savior. But we are foolish if we look to the things of this world to find our purpose or our hope. The world is a beautiful creation by God, but creation cant satisfy. The purpose of creation is to point us to the Creator to find our identity and worth. The Creator is the only One that can truly satisfy.

Some might believe grace is only there to give us permission to continue living in sin. However, this type of thinking would only lead to more shame and emptiness.

Some might believe they cant receive grace because they are undeserving. No matter what they do, they dont feel like they can earn the love of the Father.

No, grace doesnt give us permission to continue living in sin. And no, grace isnt something we can earn. It is so much better than anything we could ever imagine because our God is so much better. God calls us to a life of righteousness found in the truth of His Word, but out of His love for us, He sent His son Jesus because He knew we wouldnt be able to live that life on our own. Grace gives us permission to live in freedom because every sin is already covered by the blood of Jesus. Grace is the opposite of what we deserve or could ever earn, but in His kindness, the Father still bestows it upon us!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

I am not perfect. My life is far from perfect. I have faced difficult seasons and have struggled with difficult feelings. But in my lowest moments, the Father came down and lifted me up and held me close. Through the truth and grace found in His Word I have found healing, strength, and confidence that only He can give. I dont have it all together, but I believe the Father has called me to use my personal stories to share that with you and hopefully, provide encouragement in the varying struggles you might be facing today.

My prayer is that this devotional meets you right where you are. I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to know your struggles are real. I want you to feel validated in your feelings, anxieties, and insecurities. But I also want you to know there is hope. You do not have to continue searching this world and coming up empty. The search is over because Jesus is hope and Jesus is all you need! His grace abounds and His grace is enough!

LOVE, COURTNEY