--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sustaining grace promises not the absence…" description: "\"“Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.”\" — Max Lucado" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg" --- # Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but… ![“Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg) > ““Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.”” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Grace does not eliminate struggle; it ensures God's presence remains during hardship, offering comfort and strength **In simple terms:** God is with us even in difficulty Key Takeaway Seek divine presence when facing challenges Themes faith grace struggle Mood reassuring inspirational Type spiritual theological When to use this quote - personal crisis - illness - loss - conflict Key Concepts Divine accompaniment spiritual resilience theology of suffering Questions to Reflect On - How does you presence change your response to struggle? - What practices keep you aware of grace daily? A Different Perspective Grace alone does not solve problems; action is still needed ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Grace Promises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace-promises-1104968/) [Presence God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-god/) [Presence of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-of-god/) [Struggle Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-presence-2568694/) [Sustaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustaining/) [Sustaining Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustaining-grace-1276586/) ## Related quotes > [There are many pitfalls in the marathon of life. But regardless of what you go through, you can count on God's sustaining grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/there-are-many-pitfalls-in-the-marathon-of-life-but-regardless-of/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [“God has laid himself under no obligation, by any promise, to keep any natural man out of hell one moment. God certainly has made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/god-has-laid-himself-under-no-obligation-by-any-promise-to-keep-any/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Don't equate the presence of God with a good mood or a pleasant temperament. God is near whether you are happy or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/don-t-equate-the-presence-of-god-with-a-good-mood-or-a-pleasant/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Prayer is the window that God has placed in the walls of our world. Leave it shut and the world is a cold, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/prayer-is-the-window-that-god-has-placed-in-the-walls-of-our-world/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/we-christians-are-always-in-the-presence-of-god-there-is-never-a-non/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Grace is not the absence of the struggle; it is the presence of protection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jakes/grace-is-not-the-absence-of-the-struggle-it-is-the-presence-of/) [Sarah Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jakes/) > [God seldom calls us for an easier life, but always calls us to know more of him and drink more deeply of His sustaining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/god-seldom-calls-us-for-an-easier-life-but-always-calls-us-to-know/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Mental health is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of strength in managing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/mental-health-is-not-the-absence-of-struggle-but-the-presence-of/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [It should be pursued as in the presence of God, and under the solemn sanctions created by a lively sense of his omniscience, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/it-should-be-pursued-as-in-the-presence-of-god-and-under-the-solemn/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [Wide awake to the presence of God, I realized I had been so focused on asking why a good God allowed bad things to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-feinberg/wide-awake-to-the-presence-of-god-i-realized-i-had-been-so-focused-on/) [Margaret Feinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-feinberg/) > [“The kingdom is the manifest presence of God’s reign.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-c-wilson/the-kingdom-is-the-manifest-presence-of-god-s-reign/) [Jared C. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-c-wilson/) > [We cannot attain the presence of God. We're already totally in the presence of God. What's missing is awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brenner/we-cannot-attain-the-presence-of-god-we-re-already-totally-in-the/) [David Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brenner/) > [O it is a happy thing to feel ourselves helpless and naught, for then the presence of God is felt to wrap us about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mountford/o-it-is-a-happy-thing-to-feel-ourselves-helpless-and-naught-for-then/) [William Mountford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mountford/) > [“When things fall apart, the broken pieces allow all sorts of things to enter, and one of them is the presence of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/when-things-fall-apart-the-broken-pieces-allow-all-sorts-of-things-to/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mcauley/each-day-is-a-step-we-make-towards-eternity-and-we-shall-continue/) [Catherine McAuley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mcauley/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-ve-already-learned-haven-t-you-that-a-promise-made-is-not-always/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If you're feeling pain, express that to the Lord. If you're feeling worried, express those worries. One passage that gives me comfort is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-you-re-feeling-pain-express-that-to-the-lord-if-you-re-feeling/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Grace quotes > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“There is still a certain grace in a dead festival. It has been happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/there-is-still-a-certain-grace-in-a-dead-festival-it-has-been-happy/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Enlightenment is lightening up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/enlightenment-is-lightening-up/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Grace does not destroy nature, it perfects it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/grace-does-not-destroy-nature-it-perfects-it/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Asanas bring perfection in body, beauty in form, grace, strength, compactness, and the hardness and brilliance of a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patanjali/asanas-bring-perfection-in-body-beauty-in-form-grace-strength/) [Patanjali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patanjali/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [ “Through the grace of a thief, one can become a thief and through the grace of a Gnani \[the enlightened one\], one can become… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/through-the-grace-of-a-thief-one-can-become-a-thief-and-through-the/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“God reproduces and lives out His image in millions of ordinary people like us. It is a supreme mystery. We are called to bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/god-reproduces-and-lives-out-his-image-in-millions-of-ordinary-people/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [One of the noblest words in our language is "grace," defined as "unearned blessing." We live by grace far more than by anything else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-elton-trueblood/one-of-the-noblest-words-in-our-language-is-grace-defined-as-unearned/) [D. Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/) > [“We have grace of strength to work, to clear our cities of any dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-have-grace-of-strength-to-work-to-clear-our-cities-of-any-dirt/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Grace is upside-down, to-do-list wrecking, scandalous and way-too free. It's one-way love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullian-tchividjian/grace-is-upside-down-to-do-list-wrecking-scandalous-and-way-too-free/) [Tullian Tchividjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tullian-tchividjian/) [Browse all 6,886 Grace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Lucado" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absence-of-struggle-but-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Grace" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absence-of-struggle-but-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/max-lucado-190_grace_sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absenc_1120037.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.” — Max Lucado", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Max Lucado", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Sustaining grace promises not the absence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absence-of-struggle-but-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/sustaining-grace-promises-not-the-absence-of-struggle-but-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```