05. Count Your Blessings
God’s Bucket List for You, part 6
Introduction
One of the songs in our books, that we
sometimes sing, is called “Count Your Blessings.” The chorus is written like
this:
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath
done.
This is something we should take to heart on
a regular basis. You might be surprised, when you realize, that some things you
take for granted are actually blessings.
Definition of Blessing
1828 Webster’s Dictionary—2. Any means of
happiness; a gift, a benefit, an advantage; that which promotes temporal
prosperity and welfare or secures immortal felicity.
There are some who will say
that having a lot of money is a blessing. How about just having money, in
general, is a blessing. As Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, Not that I speak in regard to
need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11). He wrote
this from prison. I’m sure he wasn’t blessed to be there, but he was blessed to
still be alive and able to write and talk to the brethren without any restrictions.
Examples of Physical Blessings
Most people see objects as
major blessings: Roof over our heads, clothes on our back, food on the table,
vehicles to drive, a job to go to, a bank account, etc.
The next level of this,
however, are things that we sometimes take for granted. Some examples are: the
ability to get in and out of bed without assistance. The ability to eat food
without assistance. The ability to walk from point A to point B without
assistance. All of these are blessings that certain people don’t have due to
age, disability, or infirmity.
They may seem small or
trivial to you but just imagine what life would be like if you required
assistance to do all of these things. And not just a few times a day but, every
day for the rest of your life; 20+ years or more.
Examples of Spiritual Blessings
In the beginning of His
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states a series of those people who are blessed in
Mt. 5:1-12. You can read that for yourself.
The apostle Paul opens his
letter to the church in Ephesus by stating, Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
(Ephesians 1:3).
James
wrote in James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures
temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
We are tempted on a daily basis yet;
it is not considered sin until we give into it (Verses 14-15).
These
are just a few to consider, naturally there are more but, I believe this makes
my point.
Conclusion
James
goes on to say, Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there
is no variation or shadow of turning.
(James 1:17). Write down a list of your blessings on one side of the paper and your
burdens on the other side. Your blessings should outweigh the burdens. If not,
remember what the Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 5:7, casting
all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. You don’t need to bear your burdens alone (Gal. 6:1-2).
Good reminder Chris!!
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