When You Fail, Grace Shows Up Again – From the Desk of D. Bryan King

920 words, 5 minutes read time.

God’s Grace Finds You Right Where You Are

Introduction

Last week, I wrote something from the heart—God Meets You Where You Are — And Gives You a New Heart. I meant every word, especially the gentle welcome extended to our LGBTQ+ friends and anyone who’s ever felt far from God. While some responded with grace, others responded with anger. Still, I stand by it. That devotional was for everyone, and so is this one—because grace doesn’t draw lines, and neither does Jesus.

This one’s a bit more personal. I fail—a lot. In big ways and small, obvious and hidden. So I need this devotional as much as anyone else. If you’re feeling the weight of messing up, stumbling again, or not being where you think you should be, you’re not alone. And the good news? God’s grace meets us in the middle of our failure, not after we fix ourselves.

Scripture

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Reflection / Teaching

Grace is often defined as God’s unearned favor—but it’s more than that. Grace is His kindness when we’ve run out of reasons to deserve it. It’s His arms still wide open when ours are limp from guilt or shame. It’s the love that lingers when failure tells us to give up.

But what kind of love is that, really?

In the Greek of the New Testament, there’s a word for this kind of love: agape. It’s not sentimental or performance-based. It’s not about emotions or attraction. Agape (ἀγάπη) is the highest form of love—sacrificial, unconditional, and self-giving. It’s the kind of love God has for us and calls us to share with others. Agape love is what sent Jesus to the cross, and it’s what moves Him to meet us in our lowest moments—not to condemn us, but to restore us.

Agape love doesn’t ask, “Are you worthy?” It simply says, “You’re mine.” That’s the engine behind grace. Grace isn’t random kindness—it’s rooted in God’s deep, unwavering love for every single person. And that includes you.

The Bible is filled with people who failed—publicly, painfully, repeatedly. Peter denied Jesus three times after swearing he never would. But Jesus didn’t cancel Peter. He cooked him breakfast on the beach and asked him, “Do you love me?” (John 21). That’s grace flowing from agape. David sinned grievously, but he cried out in Psalm 51, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”, and God answered. Paul begged God to remove his weakness, but instead, God reminded him that grace is sufficient. That’s not rejection—that’s redemptive love in action.

And let me be crystal clear: this grace and agape love are for everyone. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, or someone who’s ever been told you’re outside of God’s reach, I want you to hear this—you are not beyond God’s grace or love. He knows your name, sees your heart, and His agape love is for you. Not later. Not after you change. Now.

Application

When you fail, don’t run from God—run to Him. Start with honesty. Confess your failure, not with fear, but with the expectation that grace is waiting. Let His agape love disarm your shame. Read scriptures like Ephesians 2:8-9 or 1 John 1:9 to remind your heart of the truth: you are not saved by being flawless; you are saved by grace through love.

Next, receive it. Let go of the shame. Remind yourself that failure is not your identity—grace is. Let God’s love speak louder than your past. Let His agape love hold you when you feel like falling apart.

Then extend it. If you’ve felt judged, hurt, or excluded, remember how that feels—and choose kindness instead. Agape doesn’t need agreement to extend grace. These devotionals are for everyone, because the Gospel is for everyone. There’s no “us” and “them” here—just us, standing in need of the same grace and the same love.

Prayer

God, I come to You not because I’ve got it all together, but because I don’t. I fail more than I’d like to admit, and sometimes I wonder if You’re tired of me trying again. But thank You for Your agape love—a love that never quits, never gives up, and never stops reaching for me. Thank You for grace that covers my failure, and love that never lets go. Help me to trust You more than my own strength, and to believe again that You’re not finished with me yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Thoughts

God’s grace isn’t fragile. It doesn’t fold when you mess up. It’s fierce and faithful. And every time you fall, His agape love shows up again. So keep walking. Keep coming back. Keep trusting that the same God who called you isn’t going to give up on you now.

If this message encouraged you, I invite you to subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep walking this journey together. Grace is a daily gift—and you don’t have to walk alone. Have thoughts or questions? Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through the contact page—I’d love to hear from you and walk alongside you.

bdking71

Sources

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

2 thoughts on “When You Fail, Grace Shows Up Again”

Anonymous says:

June 14, 2025 at 8:20 am

Hi, Bryan! Agape! You’ve hit on a concept that I have tried to embody my whole life. I am not the kind of person who boldly talks about my faith in God. Ironically, I openly tell people that I love them. I have been criticized for throwing the word “love” around too freely, cheapening the value of it’s meaning. What they don’t realize is that doing so has been a deliberate effort on my part, in a subtle way, to share my love of God with them. This article has re-affirmed my conviction that I should continue sharing God’s love in this way, even though others may not understand the meaning behind it.

Agape! I love you, my brother!

1. D. Bryan King says:
  
  June 16, 2025 at 9:51 am
  
  I remember something my drill sergeant said back in Army boot camp in 1989, and it’s stayed with me ever since. He told us, “Prejudice doesn’t work in the Army—because when the shit hits the fan and bullets start flying, you don’t know who’s going to be in the foxhole with you. And that person might be the only reason you survive.” That was a hard but powerful truth, and one I wish more people understood. In life, just like in combat, character and trust matter far more than appearances, backgrounds, or assumptions.
  
  That experience shaped how I try to live—with respect for everyone, regardless of who they are. But over the years, I’ve also learned a tough lesson: not everyone returns that respect. Some people go out of their way to exploit kindness, mistaking it for weakness. And when that happens, you have to draw the line. Sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do is limit your circle.
  
  Even Jesus did that. He had twelve disciples, but not all of them were equally close to Him. If I remember right, only three or four were part of His inner circle. He loved them all, but not everyone had access to the same closeness or insight. That taught me something important: you can love and respect people without giving everyone the same level of trust or access to your life.