Three phases of a Life of a Christian

[Sushan Ekanayake]

It's a very interesting concept. I would say that the ability of returning grace to others is really important and, yes, it works.

Yes, that is an ability that one has to learn and practice

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Not everyone finds God as a result of being in crisis. I dedicated my life to God as a child and I grew up in a Christian home. I have never faced any of the horrible situations that the people in this book faced. I have had my ups and downs in life, but my life has never been in ruins. When I was growing up and people would come to our church with flaming testimonies, I always felt like my testimony somehow wasn't as powerful. But as an adult, I think living a life close to God with a grateful heart demonstrates God's grace as powerfully as finding God in a crisis. I am grateful for the life God has given me.

Yes! I think that God uses all kinds of circumstances in order to draw people to Him; I don't think it necessarily has to be a crisis, as the author focused on. So, I agree with you that I don't necessarily agree with that first step of his. Or perhaps, the word "crisis" can just be taken wider. I think that it may take some form of internal crisis, or rather, a realization of need to bring us to Jesus. Even those who have the amazing (and so, so beautiful!) story of being saved young and growing up a Christian, I think, must have reached a point where what they had didn't cover what they needed, and that it was only through Christ that that need could be fulfilled. Perhaps that could be a form of "crisis," as well. Just some of my thoughts, though, because I do believe that first step was lacking a bit.

Thank you for sharing a bit of your story here!

Your idea about the word 'crisis' is interesting. Yes, it don't have to be a major catastrophe, just a unbalance in one's mind can be the crisis for him/her to go through these steps

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think one may go through crisis and never realize or understand God's grace in his/her life. So I wouldn't advocate on the fact that it is through crisis one will find God's grace. Finding God's grace can be attributed to just accepting or believing in His grace no matter the circumstances at that particular moment.

I had a similar thought when I was reading the book. Experiencing a crisis doesn't necessarily mean that you WILL realize God's grace, but I think the author has a point in saying that it's often the darkest times that we are more aware of God and more likely to call out to God. Therefore, in those times, we may be more likely to realize His grace.

While that doesn't mean we can't experience more of God during good times, there is something about those hard times that we realize that we don't have what it takes to make it on our own. And so we often turn to the One who does. During good times, I think it's at least easier to think that we're actually doing okay and that we've actually got this. It oftentimes takes a crisis for us to realize our true weakness and His true strength. However, I totally agree that God uses any kind of circumstance to reveal His grace; it just requires our eyes to be open (and that's actually quite difficult sometimes)!

Yes, indeed. Only when we understand that something is beyond our capacity that we reach out for help, in this circumstance towards the God

[Sushan Ekanayake]

It makes sense, though maybe we can already share grace to others even if we aren't in those 3 phases yet?

This is a really interesting thought that I think I will spend some more time with! I think what the author intends, though, is to emphasize the "likelihood" of being able to give grace. I think we are more likely to be able to give grace once we have received grace (1 John 4:19 idea), because then we know more of what it looks like and we are more desirous of wanting to extend that grace to others. Likewise, after we have received grace, I think we also just have more space for others. In some ways (in my own naive thoughts), I feel like receiving grace is like being healed (or starting the journey of healing once you initially receive and accept the grace of God). You may have to be healed to some degree yourself before you can begin the journey of helping other people with their healing. If not, then it's easier to burn out. That's just a thought, though.

Something else that popped into my head in regard to the formatting of the phases is that, probably, we go back and forth between phases 2 and 3 throughout our life, too. There are certainly times when I need to take a step back and re-align, reminding myself, with the fact that I am under God's grace (so that I can be fueled up properly to help others).

I think the author intends for these phases to be thought of as helpful guidelines rather than the rule. It's good to ask those kinds of questions, though, for sure! So interesting!

After you felt the grace, it is easy for you to express it towards others. But that doesn't mean that you can't express it to others first and then feel it for yourself. Rather than being three steps, these three things are running in a cyclical manner

[AntonelaMaria]

I don't think everyone goes through the same experiences when it comes to grace. I have a strong faith but I don't think I went through anything specific to get here.

Yes, and looking around myself even with people with sam background and religious upbringing, not one relationship with faith is the same.

[AvocaDebo621]

1)Experiencing crisis,
2)Receiving grace, and
3)returning grace to others.
I really felt touched by these three phases the author outlined in the book.

[Brenda Creech]

According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I agree with the author on the three phases. I have faced much crisis' in my life and God has given me grace to get through all of them, even those of my own making! I have to confess I don't return grace to others as much as I should, and I hate to admit that! Christians are on this earth to carry out God's work and to show love and compassion to everyone. Thanks for bringing this aspect of the book up!

Showing grace to others has not to be in large scale or even consciously done. Even the smallest things matter. And even the small help anyone gets can be considered as God's grace (according to their own beliefs)

I agree. Sometimes it is the little things that bring the greatest blessings!

[Arite Seki]

I think these phases are fairly accurate. I think crisis makes us come to a point in our life when we realise enough is enough and seek out more that's why receiving grace is so impactful at that point in time.

[Faithful Oso]

Not everyone has to go through crisis before drawing close to God. But for me i experienced serious crisis, when i was about giving up, i received the grace of God which has helped me return the grace to others. GOD'S GRACE IS UNQUANTIFIABLE...

[Gathoni1991]

Christian life is majorly painted with grace. If you ask me, a Christian goes through a lot of crisis than the average person. So the steps do apply. But God's grace is always sufficient. Christians take heart because we are aware of our prize at the end.

[Faithful Oso]

You don't have to go through crisis before you experience the grace of God. For me i experienced crisis, when i almost lost it, i received the grace of God and it has helped me radiate the love of God to others. His grace is so sufficient for us all.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

A Crisis may never come. But Grace is always there. I have had some hard times but those are not the reason I need Grace. The grace I have received is that which bonds me to my heavenly father..giving me a right to be called a child of God. Yes..I need to share with others this same grace..I do try my best.

Very nicely put. I agree.

Thinking in this manner is so important since not everyone faces with major catastrophes, and also not everyone of them go through that in a very pleasant manner

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think these three phases are accurate for those to whom it applies, but not everyone has faced a crisis that redefines or recenters their lives. There most assuredly are still ways to live life as a Christian and receive God's grace without suffering through some major life event first.

Just so, AmyMarie. What is an earthshaking crisis to one may be only day-to-day survival for another. Each of these stories shows how gratitude sparks a desire to do good. I think that can come from the small mercies in life as well as the challenges.

The impact of a crisis is a subjective thing. What should one have is the willingness to express grace to others, no matter in what quantity they themselves received it

[Sushan Ekanayake]

It is so practical and amazing. It is actually more evident when we experience it at individual levels. I love God for his grace.

Yes, when an individual go through these first two phases, commencing the third step becomes more easy

[Sushan Ekanayake]

According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I can totally relate to that - and each story in the book proves that this is the case. I often notice myself drifting away from God and spirituality when everything is going well. Then, something unexpected happens to remind me that I can't really do much on my own - that's not sustainable. And that is the moment I understand that I really do need God's help and guidance. When I overcome hardships, I usually feel very inspired to give back to others - in the form of advice, guidance, or practical help. So yes, I very much agree with the author!

We are unable to run our lives on our own. We need some help at some points and so is everyone. We have to keep that in mind