When life seems rife with hardship and challenges, are you able to recognize and appreciate blessings despite the struggle? Blessings are often overshadowed by the magnitude of our circumstances, but they are there. You gain courage and strength by recognizing and appreciating blessings.
Identify
Sometimes we miss blessings because we fail to identify them. Have you ever counted the absence of something as a blessing? For example, a health condition that has been reversed, tension in a relationship that is no longer present, or financial distress that has resolved. On the other hand, often we don’t see the magnitude of blessings because we take them for granted. Shelter, food, and clothing seem like a given, but many in the world do not have the guarantee of these. Once you begin to identify blessings, you discover they are there in abundance.
Enumerate
The words to an old hymn encourage us to count our blessings, naming them one by one. Listing blessings is a good way to help you realize the extent of God’s good gifts to you. Enumerating blessings helps you focus, and focusing on blessings changes your perspective by helping you to see the depth of the positives in your life.
Cherish
For me, family, past and present, is one of my greatest blessings. I appreciate my heritage and am thankful for the fact that love, faith, and service were modeled for me. I cherish memories and give thanks for those who have gone before me, as well as those I have the joy of sharing life with now.
Last fall, when my husband had a frightening and potentially fatal health event, I realized anew the blessings of our life together. Recognize the gift of life and enjoy each day you are privileged to share with loved ones.
Fortify
Are you still thinking you aren’t blessed? Then perhaps you are focusing on the negative aspects of your life rather than the positives. To help you recognize blessings, think of your history. When have you seen God at work in your life, or in the lives of those around you? Study scripture. Pray, asking God to show you times when he blessed you. Fortify your faith with foundational truths and you will see blessings.
Gratitude
Have you allowed criticism and complaining to infiltrate your life? It is possible to change your outlook by looking for and giving thanks for blessings. When we express thanks for our blessings, we acknowledge God as the giver of all good gifts. Make gratitude and attitude of your heart. Gratitude changes your life and propels forward motion.
“Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows” (James 1:17 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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