SADLY, WE SOMETIMES TAKE GOD FOR GRANTED

03/18/2025

Do we appreciate or even remember all the times God has been there, protected us, eased our pain, or granted us peace beyond our understanding? I know I did not, but I do now. I have had back problems, later diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, for over 20 years and numerous back surgeries, sometimes incapacitated, and now I have graduated to add arachnoiditis (from having invasion to my spine). Walking has become difficult and may end if I live long enough, extremely dry mouth, and who knows where that came from? So, pain is constant and sleep is interrupted very often. The reason I am bringing all that is not for sympathy or attention, it is to bring up the fact that a pain-free and uninterrupted night’s sleep is rare and hard for me to remember.

However, I have learned a lot about myself and having Jesus in my life over the past decades and that brings me to last night. Last night I had the best night’s sleep and I woke up refreshed and in a great mood than I have had since I can’t remember. And I owe all the credit to God and I really appreciate it and was reminded of His presence in my life.

I know that God or Satan did not give me the health problems I have. It is from the presence of sin that started when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. Maybe Jesus personally gave me that night of relief to remind me that He is still there and knows my suffering or maybe it was from Him indirectly as He gave a person the ability to invent the pill (that rarely works), I took to help me sleep. Regardless, of how I received the blessing of relief, I know it was from Him because He knows what the feeling of pain is like and He is filled with grace.

I know I am not alone or special enough to be the only one to receive blessings from Jesus. We all have experienced His grace now and even when while we did not accept Him.

As I look back at my past blatantly sinful life without Jesus, I can see and identify the many times He has rescued me, protected me, and not held me immediately responsible for my sins. He has saved me from harm in many ways physically and mentally even though I did not deserve it. And has shown me His power as He provided me with many miracles that have been seen by others and some that were privately known only between Him and His troubled child. I pray that to the end of my life, I will continue to be strong in my faith and never say “Why me”, “I do not deserve this”, or “Please let this pass” when I face hardships and troubles. In addition to being the recipient of His love and grace that has shown me His devotion to His children, He has given all of us scripture that is written in stone, so to speak, and His promises for us to reflect on. They can and will, help not just me but others if only we will read, understand, believe, and obey His word as His word stands forever.

Final note; These thoughts are a reflection of the way I thought and felt as I awoke this morning.

As I remember He promises; 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Deuteronomy 10:21 He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.