Ephesians 1:11-12 (AMP) 

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend the grace of God. Paul spends an enormous amount of the New Testament aiming to convince different groups of their place in eternity. He was up against tough debate in first century Ephesus—specifically, more than fifty gods and goddesses as well as a number of philosophical arguments for spiritual truths.

Yet, he knew what he was talking about when he described what Christians have in the promises of Jesus. And this is timeless truth for you today. You can count on God’s divine providence and amazing grace for your life. This is why it’s all going to be okay. Actually, it’s going to be better than okay; it’s going to be glorious, according to Paul.

“In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12, AMP).

Paul was so excited about the potential of the lives of the saints that he opens this debate with a great statement of praise to God’s amazing grace. And this is fuel for when it doesn’t seem like life is going to be okay.

Let’s unpack these two verses that are full of hope and God’s sovereignty.

We have received an inheritance. Unlike human inheritances, we receive God’s gift of grace without any effort or righteousness. We can’t earn it. We can’t purchase it. We can’t manipulate God to extend it to us. It can’t be taken from us by human strength. God decided before we existed that we would receive His Kingdom.

We have been predestined for grace. Isn’t that amazing? God chose His grace for you when He created you. He had His eye on you. He has a design and a purpose for your life.

You are worthy. God saw you as worthy of His gift of grace through His Son’s sacrifice. He loved you so much that He knew you would need the gift of salvation. You are worthy of His grace, even when you don’t feel like it.

You have free will within His providence. God loves us so much that He offers His will as a counsel for our life. He knows our choices, but He lets us make them. He lets us approach Him with our questions and decisions. He’s working out everything for His purpose and you are part of that. You are a valued member of the Kingdom of God.

You have the resources of the Kingdom. Jesus instructed us to seek first the Kingdom of God. But what does that mean? It means that we have the reality, the resources, and the eternity of the Kingdom because of Jesus.

In the Amplified version of Matthew 6:33, we find that seeking the Kingdom brings us resources of “His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God.” That’s powerful stuff when we’re faced with not okay circumstances. It’s going to be okay because when we ask for God’s help through prayer—we receive it. We receive His attitude and His take on a situation that seems impossible in our human weakness.

So, when things aren’t okay, remember, nobody and nothing—not even your own stupidity—can block God’s plan for your life.