CO | Yvonne Nachtigal | Sept 6, 2019
It’s common to hear people saying they’ve been “blessed” by some good fortune in the natural like a new house, job, promotion, or even little things like finding a parking space close to the store. We tend to feel “blessed” when things are going well in our lives and struggle to feel that way when we’re disappointed or some pain or hardship comes our way. But the Bible doesn’t say being blessed has anything to do with what we tend to associate it with. In fact, looking to physical good fortune and happiness as being “blessed” can be a trap and cause us to lose our joy when things get tough. Here are some personal reflections on what it is to be blessed.
When I say I’m blessed, it doesn’t mean there aren’t things in my life that are deeply painful.
When I say I’m blessed it doesn’t mean that this day has been free of frustrations and challenges.
It isn’t dependent on being surrounded by loving & encouraging people.
It does not mean that my every prayer has been answered in a way I would have chosen.
It does not mean that I FEEL GOOD or that the situations around me make me HAPPY.
Being blessed has nothing to do with my finances or security.
It has nothing to do with a beautiful house or car or job or social status.
When I say that I am blessed in the midst of being misunderstood, lied about, treated unfairly or disrespectfully, taken advantage of or even scorned, it doesn’t mean that I’m being a martyr who is self-righteously “taking the high road.”
And it doesn’t mean that I always get it right and don’t do stupid things, or that the enemy doesn’t remind me of my failings every single day.
As a blood bought, Holy Spirit filled believer in JESUS CHRIST, when I say that I am BLESSED, I am simply TELLING THE TRUTH PRESENTED IN THE WORD OF GOD.
I am blessed because MY SIN HAS BEEN FORGIVEN and MY LIFE IS HID IN JESUS CHRIST. I am BLESSED BECAUSE MY FATHER LOVES ME and I can have HIS PEACE and JOY knowing that HIS HAND is in ALL THESE THINGS as HE LOVINGLY molds and perfects all things concerning me, that is my soul.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:3
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-6
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:3
“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
