Better than I deserve

When asked "how are you?" Dave Ramesy (radio talk show host) answers "better than I deserve". I like that answer, and should probably use it, but I wonder if people realize it's significance.

No matter how bad things really are for me I can answer better than I deserve. I may not feel better than I deserve, but I know that I am better than I deserve.

How much better than I deserve? Infinitely better than I deserve. You see, I know that no matter what, I am not getting what I deserve. Romans 6:23 tells the whole story. Paul tells us that we are all sinners, and we deserve death. But that's not all. He goes on to tell us that we have a gift of eternal life through Jesus.

So, no matter what happens, or what I feel like, I am doing better than I deserve.