Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

Before I understood grace, what that quote says is what I heard:

Are you righteous? no, not at all
Are you good? no
Are you satisfied? no

It was an amazing day for me to understand what grace meant, what Christ's death on the cross for me meant. And then I knew that I was righteous, I was good, I was satisfied, not because of what I had done, how good I had been (certainly couldn't be), but all because of what he had done for me, and was doing in me.

It was a turning point in my life for sure. I couldn't imagine continuing on in the understanding I had before, in the condemnation I always felt, especially going through the trials of sickness, etc., that I've been through since then. Understanding it's all grace now, no condemnation, full security because of His firm grip on me, that's what keeps me going despite adversities. I still have doubts, fears, still feel condemned sometimes, but it's coming back over and over to what I've learned of His grace and love that renews my mind every time, making me ready to face another day with joy despite pain of various kinds, despite whatever.

Lamentations 3:22
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I'm so glad it's not about me getting it all right, but that's it's about Him getting it all right in me. He gets the glory and I'll praise him forever!