there but for the grace of god

The phrase "there but for the grace of god" refers to a feeling of gratitude or humility that arises when one acknowledges that they have been spared from a certain undesirable or unfortunate situation solely due to the benevolence, mercy, or protection of a higher power or fate. It can be understood as an expression of recognizing how easily one's circumstances could have been different, and emphasizing the role of divine intervention or luck in avoiding a particular misfortune.