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Hind-sight is always 20/20. It’s so much easier to see the Blessings in my life after the battle. I’m not alone. It’s not unusual for people to miss blessings from time to time. Things we once thought weren’t blessings turn out to be the best ones, and things we thought were blessings turn out not to be. It happens to everyone.
That said, failure to acknowledge the existence of your blessings isn’t a state that you want to remain in. The ability to experience joy and contentment begins when you’re grateful for the many blessings God has bestowed upon you.
Recognizing a Blessing isn’t Always Easy
It can be difficult to recognize blessings during troubled times, but this is the perfect time to take a long, hard look at yourself and acknowledge what you have instead of what you don’t have. It’s also important to recognize that “this too shall pass.” When you’re going through tough times, the best way to handle it is to maintain a mindset of gratitude to the Lord, amidst the chaos, and know that His many blessings, whether physical or spiritual, will get you through.
Spiritual Blessings
These are the blessings given only to those who are in Christ. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the one who delivers these blessings to you. In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul writes about them.
- You are chosen (v.4)
- You are holy and blameless in Christ (v.4)
- You stand in His Love (v.4)
- You are his child (v.5)
- You are accepted(v.6)
- You are redeemed (v.7)
- Your sins are forgiven (v.7)
- You have the riches of His grace (v.7)
- He made the mystery of His will known to you (v.9)
- You have an eternal inheritance (v.14)
- You have the Holy Spirit (v.13)
- You have a calling (v.18)
- You are valuable to Jesus (v.18)
- You have His great power (v.19)
It’s important to remember that you are unconditionally loved by God. He died for your sins, forgiven you and provided you with the ultimate of blessings – eternal life.
Physical Blessings
These are blessings that are endowed on all, whether they serve God or not. God has given us our physical bodies that will help us live life to the fullest if we treat them like the temples they are. He also blessed us with the beautiful planet we live on, our families, and other successes. All things are possible if we keep sight of our Lord and appreciate his blessings.
Seeing Blessings
Some blessings can be easy to see like good health, financial stability, a wonderful marriage, and happy, healthy children. Other noticeable blessings can range from necessary provisions to extraordinary talent backed by an abundance of resources. Other blessings are hard to understand like financial and natural disasters.
When enduring what appears to be impossible situations to handle, it can feel like God is a million miles away at the very second you need Him the most. Doubt and fear come into play, which makes it seem like prayers go unanswered.
It doesn’t need to be this way. It’s during difficult times when you should rely on Him the most. There’s nothing quite like dealing with a troubling situation and then experiencing the sense that God has wrapped His arms around you in a protective, comforting hug. After all, He is greater than any circumstances you may face.
Four Ways to Recognize Blessings
Not every blessing will be in the form and function of what you want it to be, so it’s important to have the skills necessary to recognize blessings. Here are a few tips to help you discern if the blessing is really a blessing from God.
1. Remove Your Worldly Opinion
Sometimes (actually, quite often) our worldly opinion about our current situation is wrong. Just because you think it’s a blessing doesn’t mean it is. The opposite is also true. You may think something isn’t a blessing, when in fact it is. Instead, release your opinion and be open to God’s. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the blessing in your current circumstances.
2. Pray About it
Ask God to help you discern it. Pray, study Scripture, be patient, and trust in God’s love and ability to guide you through life. When you pray for God’s guidance and for clarity through the Holy Spirit, you can count on Him to provide the wisdom you need to see your blessings.
3. Test it
Is it in alignment with His Word? God will never contradict Himself. Every Scripture in the Bible is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17), so you should take what is written in the Bible very seriously. Blessings come as you give yourself over to God, trusting Him, his presence filling you with confidence and hope.
4. Listen to the Holy Spirit
Scripture says the Holy Spirit comes into the heart of that newly-born child of God and lives there (1 Corinthians 3:16). What is the Holy Spirit telling you? Always remember and firmly believe that you have immeasurable power through the Holy Spirit.
Life is hard. God never said it would be easy. However, when you face struggles, look for the blessings. You just might find them.
This months technique course in Momentum is hand painted Bible covers.
Psalm 103:1-10
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Blessed Beyond Measure Psalm 103:1-10
Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Blessed Beyond Measure Luke 10:20
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Blessed Beyond Measure 2 Corinthians 9:8
Genesis 1:22
And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Blessed Beyond Measure Genesis 1:22
Matthew 5:1-2
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Blessed Beyond Measure Matthew 5:1-2
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You see, I broke my knee the other day. I was out walking my dogs and my right foot caught the sidewalk edge causing me to stumble. As I tried to avoid the fall, my left knee took most of the pressure and caused an compression fracture. Yikes! I went home and iced it. After a few days of hobbling to and from long-term jury duty (oh that’s another fun post to write), I decided to call my doctor.
