I was standing in the kitchen a little bit ago getting a drink of water.  There are a lot of things I can’t eat because of food allergies; on the list are cookies.  I snuck and ate one.  After I ate it, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to eat today and not have any problems.  Just then, the enemy whispered into my ear (I call it that because it is not my own thought), “Who wants to serve a God that you have to thank for ‘letting’ you eat?” As if I was in bondage to God or something. 

I said, “I rebuke you Satan!  For it is you who makes us sick with these infirmities, and God who delivers me from your bondage so that I am able to eat as I should eat in the first place!”

That shut him up real quick; and then I started thinking.  Don’t we all, from time to time, tend to blame or resent God for the bad things that happen?  Taking on the attitude that we must always ask Him first to do this, or get His permission to do that–and my goodness, all of the rules we must follow!  When in truth, we belonged to Satan when we were born.  When God blesses us with even the simplest of things, and/or allows us to do something, even wake up every morning to a new day–it is a gift!  And it is a gift because we were born into death, sickness, torment, corruption, and every wicked, foul thing.  So when we do eat, and nothing bad happens, for example, it is because God is actually having mercy on us.  We do not have a right to eat and not get sick.  We do not have a right to wake up every day and be given another chance.  Don’t you see?  It is God who shows us mercy, and great mercy at that, for allowing us to even have the things we oftentimes take for granted.

Here’s a great example I can give you from my own personal experience.  How often do you really appreciate that you can taste the full flavors of your foods and walk outside and smell the freshness of the changing seasons?  I enjoyed those pleasures as a child, but I live with allergies and sinus problems, and I would give anything to be able to taste my food like that again or to smell the changing seasons.  I can taste and smell, don’t get me wrong, but I can’t taste and smell like you can.

What about the fact that you can eat whatever you want with no problem?  Have you ever thought of that?  If I’m out driving and my blood sugar is low, I am unable to just stop anywhere and grab a bite.  I have to suffer it out until I can get home.  I don’t get to eat tacos or put mayo on my sandwiches, or lavish myself in ice cream and cake.  I can only eat fresh fruit, fresh veggies, brown rice, plain meat, and oat bran…and there are some fruits and veggies I can’t even eat!  And guess what?  I have no clue why.  I wasn’t born with food allergies; it just one day happened without warning.

So look at all of the things you don’t think about, and then look to God and say, “Wow, Lord; I am blessed!  I never thought of this before!”  Because trust me, when even the most ordinary every day thing is taken from you, you quickly realize just how blessed you really were.  And remember, we were born in bondage to the enemy, so whenever you have to ask God for something or thank Him, it’s because He gave it to you…right down to your every heart beat!  It is the enemy who makes us have to ask God; everything good that God made has been corrupted because of Satan!  Yet we can praise our heavenly Father, because it won’t always be that way!  Someday, everything will be just like God intended, and the enemy will be destroyed forever!

Categories: Christian Living

Tags: Allergy, Eating, Food, Food allergy, fruit, God, Ice cream, Lord, Satan, Vegetable