blessings

Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with the ways that God has blessed me.

I've had excellent health - I've never had surgery, spent a night in the hospital, or had a broken bone.

I've had access to education - I was able to complete my education up to and including a Ph. D., and never paid a dime, thanks to public funding and scholarships.

I've never been unemployed.

I've never been homeless.

I've never been without food. In fact, my waistline proves that I've even enjoyed an excess of food!

I've owned a car since I was 16 years old.

And I could go on and on listing many more ways in which God has blessed me.

And I am certain that I can take no credit for these things - they are all gifts from a generous and loving God.

In fact, the vast majority of us in the U. S. have been the beneficiaries of many of God's blessings. When you consider all people throughout the world, and also consider all of the people who lived in the past who are now deceased, all but the very poorest of Americans are ridiculously wealthy. I think it's especially important for us to remember this now, as we go through an economic climate that is much more challenging than we've faced in many years.


In other words, count your blessings! Look at all of the wonderful things that God has done for you in the past, and is doing for you now. The vast majority of Americans have food, shelter, fresh water, health care, free education, freedom, adequate clothing, transportation, free and easy access to worship and the Bible, etc.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -Psalm 118:1

"In that day you will say: 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.'" -Isaiah 12:4

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -I Thessalonians 5:18

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." -Ephesians 1:3

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9

"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" -I Corinthians 4:7