Don’t take it for granted

Something I think we are all guilty of is getting used to what we have—what we’ve always had. We tend to assume what we’ve always had will always be there. That’s a natural tendency, I suppose. But it’s probably not a healthy one.

I sometimes think about the things that I have, the opportunities I’ve had, the experiences I’ve had. When I really think about them, I should be more thankful. I don’t believe things just happen. I believe things happen for a reason. I had a good childhood, with good parents and family. That, in itself, is worth a lot. I know not everyone has that.

I guess, in many ways, I do have a better appreciation of the good things I have in my life. I think part of that is just growing older and maturing. It’s probably the case with most of us that we look back on our childhood and we are grateful if it was a good one. But, with me, I think there’s more to it. I went through a long period of hardship. And it affected me in every way—physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally. So, a lot of what I had up until that point was taken away from me. I had just gotten used to those things being there. I had gotten used to always having my health. I had gotten used to always having finances taken care of. I had gotten used to having what I’d always had. But maybe that was the problem.

When I look back on it now, it’s probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. The things I learned through this experience were invaluable. I really couldn’t put a price tag on them. One thing it did for me is it forced me out of my comfort zone. I was really in a position where I couldn’t do things the same way I had always done them. I had to shift gears, so to speak. The same old wasn’t going to cut it anymore. So, this drew me out of my complacency. I really had to push the envelope of what I thought I was capable of. Also, I learned things were maybe not as scary as I’d always thought them to be. I did some things that involved taking risks and I was still alive. One of the biggest thing it taught me was to appreciate the good things in my life. I don’t think we always appreciate what we have until we experience not having it.

But at the end of the day, it wasn’t about me. That may be the biggest, and also the hardest, lesson to learn. I had to get to a place where I came to the end of myself. I had to realize that I wasn’t enough. You may think this is scary place to be. In a way, you’re right. However, it actually ended up being one of the most freeing places I could end up.

…Let’s go deeper

What I saw God do in my weakest moments was Him carrying me through them. I may have discovered that I wasn’t enough. But I also discovered something even greater. I discovered that He is enough. You may be familiar with the popular ‘Footprints in the Sand’ plaques. Well, it was that kind of experience for me.

AV 2 Corinthians 12:9: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul had asked God three times to take his ‘thorn in the flesh’ from him. God responded by saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee”. Paul learned to trust God with his infirmity. What Paul learned was that this allowed for the perfecting of the power of Christ in him.

AV 2 Corinthians 12:10: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul goes on in the next verse to further elaborate. He’s saying basically, “If that’s what it takes for Christ’s power to work through me in a greater way, I’m all for that.” He says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Why? Because the strength working in Him then is the power of God.

Perhaps, that is all that is needed for this medication. order viagra online This is the first clinically proven, doctor endorsed OTC sublingual price viagra tablets is taking the world by storm for its immediate effectiveness, no side effects, non-prescription formula. Major Varieties of Tea White – requires canada cialis 100mg the least processing; leaves are picked only a few days out of the year Black – Chinese black drink leaves are fully oxidized. Conditions such as muscle strain, pregnancy, hormonal changes, scar tissue, purchase levitra infection and spinal tumours can also cause impotence. AV John 3:30: “He must increase, but I [must] decrease.” This was a statement John the Baptist made. He came to the same realization as Paul. He realized that the more of himself he got out of the way, the more God’s strength and power could work through him. This takes a humbling on our part. But it’s a Spirit-directed thing. The more we desire of Him and His ways, the more this is our hearts desire. The Spirit of God draws us into a close relationship with Him and we realize that our emptying of self is what is needed, and that God is working it for our good.

AV 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Some of the things we need to give to Him just involves our cares and our worries. The worries and concerns we carry are something that we need to surrender to Him because these things can keep Him from working through us as well. We need to give it to Him and let Him deal with it.

AV Genesis 15:1: “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.” God reassured Abram when he refused to take goods from the king of Sodom. God made it known that He would take care of him. “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward”, God said. Amen to that. He is our great reward, isn’t He.

AV 2 Corinthians 12:9: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”