R.E.S.T.  Bless Your Heart.

Years ago I received a severe back injuring while training with Army Rangers. They were in their early 20s, and I was twice their age. I actually stayed at the front of the pack for a while; however, this took it’s toll, and I received a severe back injury that has digressed in to DCG or Degenerative Disc Disease. The pain was excrusiating, and the Air Force Physician, and friend of mine, prescribed me a “miracle med.” And it worked very well for managing the pain; however, what my friend did not know, and what I found out, up close and personal, is this particular med causes heart disease in a significant number o people.

Long Time A Go And Far Far Away

Over time, sure enough, I developed heart disease, and it got worse with each passing month, year, decade and each season of life that accompanies the aging process. Coronary Artery Disease, led to numerous stents to unclog arteries. Eventually an open heart surgery was required, and the surgery was not done so professionally, and did not go well. What should have been a few week recovery turned in to several months of recovery. And the medical teams never told me that I now had Congestive Heart Failure. Cardiomyopathy ensued and full blown Congestive Heart Failure is now a daily part of my life. Most people don’t notice their heart beat. My heart regularly reminds me it is failing. It does so daily, and some times, multiple times in the day.

You Don’t Look Sick

Now, if you were to look at me, you would not be able to notice anything is out of order. I take the cardio “chemical therapy” faithfully. I don’t let stress eat me up like it did in my earlier life, even when folks get upset with me. Holding on to such is debilitating, and it’s not worth it. Forgiveness, whether it is asked for or not, by God’s grace is given as soon as I can get along with God. I am selfish that way. For forgiveness is more for me than anyone else. I exercise regularly. I eat right, try to sleep right, and I sincerely live as if my body does not belong to me. After all, it IS the “Temple of The Holy Spirit.” But believe me, this disease that “kills” twice as many people as ALL the cancer deaths combined, really keeps a person keenly aware of its presence in God’s Temple.

You Are Telling This Because???

Why am I telling you this? I certainly am not doing so to have you worry about me or feel sorry for me. But I am telling you this to testify! Look at Psalm 73:26 above. I am here to testify about the goodness, and about the greatness, of The Most Hight God! I want to bear witness, that what the Psalmist knew – more than 3 mellennia ago – is still valid in the 21st century. It still applies as of the writing of this blog, in the Year of Our Lord, 8/22/2023. It really IS absolutely, positively, indesputabely, pragmatically, dogmatically true. MY flesh, and my heart may fail! It’s ALREADY DOING SO! B U T The Most High God “IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER!”

The Good News Is This WILL Happen To You

What? What do you mean by saying “Good News?” One day, no matter where you are in life, that body your soul is living in — with God’s Holy Spirit –is going to LET you down. However, when it does, you do NOT have to let it GET you down. If you have bowed your knees to Jesus, and if you have confessed HIM as Lord, to the glory of God the Father, and if Jesus is your Savior, and your Lord, He will give you all you need by the power of The Holy Spirit.

God really will provide you R.E.S.T. He really will give you Rock-solid Eternal Spirituality Today. Yep! It’s a one day at a time, and giving it all up to Him, experience. The Most High God, like He did with the Psalmist all those thousands of years ago, like He has done with multiple generations since, like He has done with me, and like He does FOR me every single day, will Bless your heart, if you let Him.

S o J o u r n e r