Activating Mercy When We Need It Most

Johanna Stamps discusses how we can have a deeper understanding of mercy in our most difficult circumstances.

The hardest thing I’ve heard recently should be the most hopeful:  

“God’s mercy is like water, it always flows to the lowest place.” (Father Michael Gaitley, MIC)  

When we humble ourselves, when we are vulnerable, and when we are in need of help, mercy rushes in.  

The Struggle  

Why do I struggle with this? Like most people, I want mercy to wash up beside me as I’m marching on my path forward. I want to be good enough to make anything possible. The truth is, I’m not!  

When we are in the most difficult times in our lives, it can be too perfect of an opportunity for us to show off our self-sufficiency.  

But here’s the kicker: When we walk in self-dependence, we miss the heart of the issue — the place where God wants to rush in.  

What Happens When Mercy Flows In?  

When we experience mercy there is peace. There are new possibilities. There is a release of burden. There are immediate mindset shifts. 

I’ve joked more than once that people in difficult circumstances either hit the bottle or the Bible.  

As I look closer at this phenomenon (because a lot of the time it’s true), I notice what alcohol actually does: it is a mercy blocker. In its most fundamental function, alcohol is a way of us taking the reins and doing it our way. Alcohol, when it’s used to distract or numb the pain, can be a locked door for God’s mercy to flow.  

Getting Out of God’s Way 

Perhaps the most interesting thing I’ve seen is that God shines a loving light on the places He wants to heal. When we push forward with our own strength there is no way for us to take time to look and see what God wants to heal. We miss the potential completely! When we experience God’s mercy, we also experience the possibility for greater healing.  

When we open ourselves up to receive God’s mercy, we are open for God to heal other places in our lives!  

Isn’t that incredible?  

God wants to lavish mercy to our hurt places, but it cannot flow until we welcome it!  

How do we welcome God’s mercy?  

1. Give a heart-felt apology. “Oh God, I’ve been moving along in life thinking I can do it alone, and I see that I can’t. I am so sorry for always trying to make my own way.”  
2. Keep it simple! “I don’t know what to do!” Or “I need help!”  
3. Ask a question. Here is one of my favorites: “What do you want me to do?” 
4. Be curious. 

It wasn’t until yesterday that I noticed why it is such a revelation for us to do this. We are so quick to look at ourselves with harshness and judgment that we miss the opportunity to look at ourselves with loving, curious, non-judgmental eyes. When we are curious, we soften and open ourselves up to God’s mercy.  

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Copyright 2025 Johanna Stamps
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