By Joe Chesser
Blessings probably aren’t what you think they are. I may be way off base, but I have a sneaky suspicion that when most people think of blessings, they only think one dimensionally. Blessings are things that make us happy or satisfied or comfortable. For most people, blessings are only things that are good and/or pleasing, such as good health, good jobs, good families, good times, good church, etc. Blessings are things like having a safe trip or having a good meal or having a comfortable place to sleep. Indeed, these truly are blessings, but ….
On the other hand, it’s rarely considered a blessing to have a car wreck or to lose a job or to get sick. It doesn’t seem like much of a blessing to have the stock market drop or to not get a promotion. Things that happen which are not only unpleasant but that may even be harmful are rarely seen as blessings. Generally speaking, from the world’s view point, blessings are defined as things or events that are good within themselves. That’s why the dictionary defines “blessing” as “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare.”
Thankfully, God sees “blessings” much differently and enables Christians to see “blessings” through His eyes, not the eyes of the world. While the world seeks events and circumstances that bring pleasure for the moment, God sees a much broader picture. He works things out for our good in relation to eternity (Romans 8:28). The journey may not be pleasant at all, but the destination brings the greatest possible reward (Hebrews 11:25-26; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). God knows how to turn tragedy into triumph. But even more important, He has promised to do it for each and every one of us who “love him, and are called according to his purpose.”
For the Christian, blessings must be seen only through the eyes of God. Knowing that God wants only what is best for us, knowing that God can turn anything Satan can do into victory for His people, and knowing that God is more concerned about creating God-like character than about providing pleasant circumstances, allows us to understand His “blessings” in a much different way. Job’s faith and understanding of God made it possible for him to endure the loss of his flocks and herds, his children, and even his own health without blaming God. In fact, he “fell to the ground in worship” and said “may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:20-21).
So, when you don’t get the job you wanted, you know it is a blessing from God. When your prayers aren’t answered in just the way you expected them to be, you know that God is blessing you in greater ways. When life hands you a lemon, you don’t have to make lemon-aide. Just see the lemons as blessings from God and wait on Him to make whatever He wants out of those lemons. One thing’s for sure – it will be a blessing!
Blessings probably aren’t what you think they are. I may be way off base, but I have a sneaky suspicion that when most people think of blessings, they only think one dimensionally. Blessings are things that make us happy or satisfied or comfortable. For most people, blessings are only things that are good and/or pleasing, such as good health, good jobs, good families, good times, good church, etc. Blessings are things like having a safe trip or having a good meal or having a comfortable place to sleep. Indeed, these truly are blessings, but ….
On the other hand, it’s rarely considered a blessing to have a car wreck or to lose a job or to get sick. It doesn’t seem like much of a blessing to have the stock market drop or to not get a promotion. Things that happen which are not only unpleasant but that may even be harmful are rarely seen as blessings. Generally speaking, from the world’s view point, blessings are defined as things or events that are good within themselves. That’s why the dictionary defines “blessing” as “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare.”
Thankfully, God sees “blessings” much differently and enables Christians to see “blessings” through His eyes, not the eyes of the world. While the world seeks events and circumstances that bring pleasure for the moment, God sees a much broader picture. He works things out for our good in relation to eternity (Romans 8:28). The journey may not be pleasant at all, but the destination brings the greatest possible reward (Hebrews 11:25-26; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). God knows how to turn tragedy into triumph. But even more important, He has promised to do it for each and every one of us who “love him, and are called according to his purpose.”
For the Christian, blessings must be seen only through the eyes of God. Knowing that God wants only what is best for us, knowing that God can turn anything Satan can do into victory for His people, and knowing that God is more concerned about creating God-like character than about providing pleasant circumstances, allows us to understand His “blessings” in a much different way. Job’s faith and understanding of God made it possible for him to endure the loss of his flocks and herds, his children, and even his own health without blaming God. In fact, he “fell to the ground in worship” and said “may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:20-21).
So, when you don’t get the job you wanted, you know it is a blessing from God. When your prayers aren’t answered in just the way you expected them to be, you know that God is blessing you in greater ways. When life hands you a lemon, you don’t have to make lemon-aide. Just see the lemons as blessings from God and wait on Him to make whatever He wants out of those lemons. One thing’s for sure – it will be a blessing!
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ,
Fruitland, MO. He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com
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