Counting My Blessings

Many people believe in the power of positive thinking. I will agree that being optimistic can put you in a better mood. Yet, evil exists in the world and its not healthy for that to be ignored. However, I'd imagine if one truly pondered the grace in their life they would feel overwhelmingly blessed.

Here's some things to be thankful for as a believer:

1. God is in complete control and specifically made you just the way you are. 
2. He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sins because He loves you so deeply. 
3. You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit who will be an advocate for you as you go through life.
4. You have been promised eternal life with the God of the universe.
5. You have a hope in something so powerful that nothing in this life can shake it.

Now that was pretty simple and obviously there is a lot more. But I think that the list provides enough things to continually be thankful for. Does this mean that because of this evil can no longer touch us? No not at all. Yet, it's how you respond to the lost world that's so important. Do you worry about things out of your control to the point where they consume your thoughts? Do you focus so much on your problems that you are self-centered and have little concern for others? Do you scoff judgmentally at people struggling with sin who do not know the love of Jesus? The truth is that we are all selfish beings and it is by the grace of the Lord that we have the ability to lose ourselves and trust in One who has the power to save. When we emphasize self all we focus on is self. Our problems get made bigger then anything going on around us. To love others like we are supposed too we must endure things in our own life and be a blessing to others. Not to say that are problems don't matter, but we do know the last will be first. To illustrate what I'm getting at let me give an example.

My parents have provided for me in every way possible. Both of them have taught me so much and I am forever grateful for them. My dad suffers from arthritis and other health issues that cause a lot of pain. He has every right to complain but he doesn't. He knows if he complained then all the attention would go to himself and he couldn't be the father and husband he needed to be. Obviously his health issues still exist, but he chooses to not let them consume him. I know in my relationship with him it allows him to take more interest in what's going on in my life and his love is expressed.

I know there is a lot of pain in this world and I want you to be able to share with others so your able to endure it. However, as a believer, you have so much to be thankful for. Remember the grace God has given you and what He has made you to do. Let thoughts of Him consume your mind because I promise He is so much bigger then anything you face. He created you for goodness sakes. He created the entire universe and still knows the number of hairs on your head. So trust Him through the hard times and quit letting worry consume your life. He is able and willing to bear all your burdens if you would just lay your life down and hand them over to him.