Do you ever feel like you’re trying your best but still running in circles? Like no matter how much you try, you’re in this endless loop of trying harder, and still feeling like it’s not enough?

Life has a way of throwing equations at us that seem impossible to solve. And sometimes, it feels like no amount of effort will make it all balance out. But what if there was a solution that didn’t involve perfect answers or formulas?

That solution is called grace – God’s unearned favor – and it changes everything.

It’s funny how math mirrors life—starting simple with addition and subtraction before things get more complicated. It was all about building blocks—step by step.

But what happens when life feels like it’s stuck on subtraction? The enemy loves to keep us there, pointing out every mistake, every flaw, every time we fall short. It’s like carrying a calculator that only works in reverse, constantly subtracting from our worth.

Sound familiar? We make plans to do better—read the Bible, eat healthy, hit the gym, stay consistent—but then life happens. We miss a day, then two, and suddenly it feels like we’re back at zero. That’s the lie we buy into: that we’ve undone all the good just because we slipped up.

Here’s the part that changes everything. God doesn’t operate on human math. His grace doesn’t subtract; it multiplies.

Think of God’s grace as a solid foundation—no matter what happens, it’s always there to catch us. That means that even when we fail, the foundation of His love remains. No matter what, we never have to start over at zero. Why? Because God’s grace multiplies. Whenever we fail, It’s like we get to automatically start at five instead of the bottom. 

With God, it’s five plus every good thing we do. Five plus prayer, five plus showing up to church, five plus trying again. The enemy may try to drag us back to zero, but God’s grace is immovable. It’s like a safety net, always catching us, always steady. 

Isn’t that a relief? That it doesn’t depend on what we’ve done – or haven’t done- but on what Jesus already accomplished? That truth can be life-changing if we let it sink in.

So why do we still hear that nagging doubt whispering in the background? You know the one—it says things like, “You’ll never change,” or “You’re not good enough.” Maybe it even keeps a running tally of every mistake, ready to throw them back when we’re already feeling low. It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

God’s grace changes the narrative entirely. Where we see failure, God sees potential. Where we focus on what we’ve done wrong, God focuses on what Jesus did right. Grace frees us from the need to be perfect, surrounding us with unconditional love.

Have you ever noticed how it’s a little easier to forgive others, but we can be so slow to forgive ourselves? Maybe it’s time to extend the same grace to ourselves that God has already given. After all, if God isn’t holding our past against us, why are we?

But let’s not forget the power of forgiving others. While sometimes quicker to do than giving ourselves grace, we need to remember that holding onto grudges only keeps us stuck in subtraction mode. But when we choose to forgive—really forgive—it’s like opening the floodgates for God’s grace to multiply in our own lives. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It means we’re choosing to let go and trust God to handle the rest. 

So, who do you need to forgive today? Maybe it’s someone else. Maybe it’s yourself. Either way, God’s grace is big enough for both.

Grace clears our past and equips us to step boldly into the future. When we embrace God’s grace, we stop living in fear of failure and start living in the abundance He promises. This is the multiplication we’re invited into: joy, peace, wholeness, and purpose in every area of our lives.

What if this year could look completely different? Not because we’ve suddenly figured it all out, but because we’ve decided to trust God’s grace instead of our own efforts. What if we stopped measuring our worth by our performance and started living like someone who’s already loved and accepted?

Grace allows us to take on responsibility, knowing our strength is rooted in Him. When we mess up—and let’s be real, there will be times we do—it’s not the end. God’s grace is already there, waiting to pick us up and help us try again.

One way to keep this perspective is to remind ourselves daily of God’s promises. Write them down. Keep them where we can see them. Speak them out loud because grace isn’t just a one-time thing. We can receive it new everyday. The more we remind ourselves of that, the easier it becomes to live in the freedom it brings.

Our lives aren’t about striving for perfection or checking all the right boxes. It’s about surrendering to the grace that’s already ours. God’s grace is the great equalizer, the thing that says, “You’re enough because I’m enough.” It’s not about what we’ve done; it’s about what He’s done.

What would our life look like if we fully embraced that? If we stopped trying to earn God’s love and started living like someone who already has it? The beauty of grace is that it doesn’t just change our relationship with God—it changes how we see ourselves and others.

This week, take a moment to reflect on how God’s grace has shown up in your life. Pause and really think about those moments—big or small—when His love carried you through. Write it down as a reminder of His faithfulness, and share it with someone who might need encouragement.

This could be the year that everything shifts, not just because life gets easier, but because grace changes how we face it. Step boldly into this new season with confidence, knowing we’re not defined by our past, but redeemed by God’s grace. 

Together, we can walk in God’s purpose, experience the multiplication of His blessings, and truly live the abundant life He’s called us to. 

And if you want to go further into finding your breakthrough this year, check this out!