Understanding Grace: God's Power to Change Your Life

Believe and Become Podcast – Episode 2 Recap

Hey friends! 👋 We’re Josh and Corina, and in episode two of the Believe and Become podcast, we dive into one of the most life-changing truths we’ve ever learned: God’s grace.

For years, we thought we had to work harder, perform better, and earn God’s approval. But we’ve discovered that grace isn’t about striving — it’s about receiving.

What Is Grace, Really?

We grew up hearing grace defined as “God’s unmerited favor” — and that’s true. Through Jesus, we’ve been forgiven, made new, and restored into right standing with God. But grace doesn’t stop there.

Grace isn’t just God’s favor. It’s His supernatural power working in us. He doesn’t ask us to change and then leave us to figure it out on our own. Instead, He equips us, strengthens us, and empowers us to do what He’s called us to do.

God never commands you to do something without giving you the ability to do it.

Relationship Over Rules

For so long, we approached God like a teacher keeping score on our performance. If we read our Bible, prayed long enough, and did “all the right things,” we thought He’d be pleased. But when we missed the mark, we carried guilt, shame, and condemnation.

The problem? That mindset keeps us stuck in the law — trying to earn what Jesus has already given.

Romans 8:1-2 reminds us:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Grace sets us free to live in relationship with God, not performance for God.

Progress, Not Perfection

One of our mentors, Steve Backlund, has a saying we love:
“We celebrate progress, not perfection.”

God isn’t expecting you to have it all together. He knows you’re human. He knows you’ll make mistakes. And He’s not keeping a clipboard of failures.

Grace invites us to keep moving forward — even when we fall short. Instead of focusing on where you’ve missed it, focus on where God is taking you.

Grace in Your Words

Ephesians 4:29 says:

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Did you catch that? Your words carry grace. When you speak encouragement over someone, you’re actually releasing God’s supernatural power to help them change.

Imagine the impact we could have if we consistently spoke life over our kids, our spouses, our friends — even ourselves.

Living Free from Striving

If you’re exhausted from trying to do it all in your own strength, here’s the good news: you don’t have to.

Grace means you can stop striving and start relying. It means God’s Spirit empowers you to overcome fear, break negative cycles, and step into your God-given purpose.

Right now, we believe God is giving you fresh grace to do what you thought was impossible.

Want to Go Deeper?

If this message resonates with you, we’d love to help you take the next step:

📖 Josh’s book: 40 Days to Peace — a devotional to demolish fear, anxiety, and discouragement.
📖 Corina’s book: Transformed by Truth — practical steps for renewing your mind and walking in freedom.
🎧 Coaching: Need personalized guidance? Check out joshandcorina.com/coaching.

You don’t have to earn God’s love. You already have it. And His grace is giving you the power to change, right now.