It is so easy to take these things for granted, isn’t it? Do you count your blessings regularly? And do you understand how much of your day-to-day life is really not even in your control? I would suggest that most of us have at least 3 blessings that we probably never even think about and have very little control over, just in the first few minutes of every day:
1. Wake up (apparently you’re still breathing!)
2. Open your eyes (can you see?)
3. Get out of bed (do your arms and legs function?)
…. and anyone that doesn’t agree that first cup of coffee is a blessing… are you kidding me? I mean, it may not rank up there with breathing or a nice slice of pie, but it’s definitely a gift from God!
Of course, I’m just talking about the everyday blessings that we often take for granted. But there are also bigger blessings that many of us may forget to be thankful to God for – family, friends, health, shelter, employment, material items… and the list goes on and on.
And then there are those blessings that are so huge that we are unable to fathom their enormity. The Apostle Peter describes life’s biggest blessings like this:
1 Peter 1:10
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
…and again:
1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
I don’t think I can ever understand how many and how great the blessings are that my God has chosen to bestow on me on this side of heaven – and He has so much more in store for us all on the other side… So let’s just stop once and a while and count our blessings! And let's not forget to share them with those around us!
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
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.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Refrain
“Count your blessings” - - Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., (1897).