count your blessings

I passed an old church in our neighborhood and noticed a sign in front posting the church's scheduled service times along with some very good advice:

"Count Your Blessings - Not Your Problems"

Wow. What an easy thing to do - but I don't always do it. But what if I actually did make the deliberate effort to count my blessings rather than my problems? What if I started to acknowledge all my basic "take for granted" life blessings such as: sight, hearing, smell, taste, food, clothes, health, family, friends, church, work, etc. What if I then graduated that concept into counting the larger blessings too - such as: God will always keep His promises to me. I am saved by faith in Jesus Christ. I am a child of the King of Kings. God is always with me. I have been redeemed. Jesus loves me FOREVER!

It is so easy to fall into the sin of grumbling, complaining and hopelessness, isn't it? It is equally easy to over-sensationalize and be dramatic over undesirable circumstances for the sake of gaining attention and feeding our egos. But are these actions really in keeping with giving our whole heart, soul and mind to the Lord? Are we to sound defeated over earthly matters when we are children of the Most High God? Absolutely not!

Mind you, I'm not suggesting that we don't ask for support when needed. And, of course, we are to uphold one another during difficult times while casting our cares upon the Father. But, that is very different than grumbling, complaining and acting like the war against evil is lost. Have we quickly forgotten that Jesus overcame it all? Don't we know that to live is Christ? Of course! So, why not live like it and count our blessings! Why not commit all our ways to Him and choose to always make a joyful noise unto the Lord?

Ladies, let's ask God to strengthen our faith to trust Him with ALL our problems rather than spread a spirit of dismay and discouragement throughout the earth. Let's use our words wisely and for the purpose we were created for - to praise Him and spread His good news!

Let's live every single moment blessing Jesus' Holy Name! His glory is what matters most! So, count every blessing produced by His gracious love and lay aside all the rest for Him to handle. He is faithful, dear believer. Count on Him, for He is enough.

Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Blessings!

Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson
Hymn Written By Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr.