All of us have problems and they tend to overwhelm us. If you come to know anyone deeply enough you discover that he has problems. Usually,too, he feels that his problems are the worst of all problems. He is so close to them, that he feels that they must be the heaviest problems that anyone can have. It is just in this kind of situation that we need to pause and remember our blessings in order to see our problems in proper perspective.
An attitude of “count your blessings, not your troubles” will change our basic life attitudes from negative to positive. If we can see our day to day problems and even our longer-range problems against a background of our blessings, our lives can be much happier, and we will be much more constructive in facing our problems.
It is easy to focus our lives on problems. For example, a sore finger or toe dominates the whole body. Actually, it is only a small member and it may not even he seriously injured, but a sore finger or toe makes us forget about all of the more intricate parts of the body that are functioning normally and concentrate upon the minor hurt.
In still another area advertising emphasizes what we do not have. To turn through a magazine, or watch television for an evening, leaves one with the feeling that what he already owns is out of date, old fashioned. and inadequate. We see prettier homes, newer appliances, and generally more appealing material of every kind. The whole point of the advertising is to encourage us to discard what we already have and buy something different. The point I wish to make is simply that it is quite easy for us to focus our lives on what we do not have, or on problems which press upon us, to the exclusion of the things that we do have and the blessings of our lives.
If we allow our focus of life to be on the negative, we will constantly be unhappy and miserable. If we dwell on what we do not have rather than on what we do have we will never be able to achieve happiness
Let’s focus our attention on our blessings. Let’s think of what we do have instead of what we do not have. It would be good exercise for each one of us to sit down and make a list of all our blessings, and then to post that list in some prominent place where we can see it daily as we go about our usual routine. We must let the positive dominate our thinking in order not to become negative minded, pessimistic, and defeatist.
Recently, I made a list of my blessings. It began with life, family, food, shelter, and clothing. These are broad categories, and under each one I can think of specific points that are worthy of a great deal of thought and consideration. For example, my life has been saved recently by the skill of a good doctor. I am newly married and have a wonderful wife. I have a home, food to eat, and clothes to keep me warm.
Then I thought about the beauties of nature. What a wide range of thought this suggests. God’s sky, trees, grass, flowers, hills, valleys, streams, lakes, and all the rest that go to make up the physical setting in which we are privileged to live our lives. Also on my list was the fact that we live in a land of freedom and of opportunity. We can choose where we live and what kind of occupation we will enter. We are constantly invited to go through various doors of
opportunity,
Then, above all of these in my list was the fact that we are, children of God. The intimate, personal relationship we have with Him is a blessing beyond our description. The Bible is also a blesing, it is our ever present and dependable guide. We can carry it with us wherever we go, read it whenever we like, and know that it contains the foundation principles upon which we can build a happy and successful life.
My list also included the fact that our own natures are wonderfully planned. We have the capacity to think, the capacity to make choices and the ability to love. God has made us in His own image, and all of these factors play a part in our realization that we are living souls, and that we will live on eternally.
Even our handicaps usually turn out to be blessings. .For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing. Troubles are often tools by which God fashions us for better things.
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
If we want to be happy, and if we want to be pleasing to God, we must count our many blessings. We must learn to count our blessings and not our troubles, We should show our gratitude to God for our many blessings, for He is giver of all good gifts. The fact is our blessings far exceed our problems.
I know that there are times that it is hard to see the blessings through the pain, but I assure you that when you attempt to thank God for what you do have and stop focusing so much on what you don't have, happiness will soon follow.
May the Lord bless you. May He meet yout needs, and bring joy to you heart. May He comfort those who need comfort. May He embrace the lonely. May He heal the sick. And, may He fill your life with many more blessings to count.
God Bless
