Count Your Blessings

I have been giving a lot of thought recently,  to when things are going well, when we have been blessed.  For some strange reason I find it unsettling.  We all identify with hardships, sorrows, struggles and there is much written about these things, finding faith in these things, but not a lot about what to do when things are good!

What do you do when things are going well?  Do you rejoice?  Do you take it for granted? Do you return thanks to the Lord? Do you share your good news, your happy times?

Am I unsettled because I am not used to blessing, because I don’t expect blessing?  Does that mean then that I have a view of God which is of a very austere God who grudgingly gives blessing?  If that is the case, then it is wrong.  The bible is full of examples of God being a bountiful God, One who delights to give blessings out of His abundance of good things.

Ps. 33:5 “He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD”

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

1 Tim 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

1 Jn 3:1  “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.”

Perhaps I have got out of the way of thanksgiving, not recognizing, acknowledging and giving thanks for the little daily blessings as well as the big blessings.  Am I too busy counting my struggles to count my blessings?  Or even, just too busy to notice?

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

I think that there must be something in that, when you count them, recognise them, acknowledge them, when I see how many little miracles and blessings are sent my way each day, then I will see what the Lord has done in my life, and that in turn will lead me to thanksgiving.  The blessing of encouragement when someone gives me a smile or a word.  The blessing of work and home, the blessing of family, the blessing of health, the blessing of friendships, the blessing of books & of being able to read, the blessing of salvation, the blessing of knowing God.

Yes, indeed I have many blessings, too numerous to count.  It is now for me to learn the art of thanksgiving and that starts with recognising the blessings,  and then the art of returning thanks at the end of each day for those blessings, giving thanks with a grateful heart.  This surely will enrich my walk with God when I see how He has helped, enabled, sent, blessed.  It will enrich my faith, when I see what a Generous God He is and so willing to bless.  It will enrich my trust, when I know He has my best interest at heart.  It will enrich my worship when I return my thanks.  It will enrich my appreciation of God and all the good things He gives.

Recognise.

Acknowledge.

Give thanks.

Grateful heart.

Worship.