Count your blessings. I have heard that saying all my life. Have you? When was the last time you actually tried to do that?
At times it may seem as if we have none. Our world is bleak and everything seems to go wrong. Everywhere we turn another problem whacks us in the face. We toss our hands into the air and say, “Really? What’s next?”
Have you ever trudged through a river rapid against the current? Our lives can feel like that. It is hard to keep a positive attitude when negativity is swirling around our knees, threatening to topple us and drown us. Sometimes we just don’t have the effort to push through, lift our feet and fight the flow. Yet, as believers, we are the ones who can make it upstream, because with every stroke we have the ability to recall God’s blessings in our past. We know we did not make it through on our own. It gives us the gumption to carry on and brings renewed strength to our spiritual muscles. It is called recounting – or counting again.
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 ESV)
When we can recount what God has done for us in the past, or someone we have earnestly prayed for, it renews our confidence that He will do that again, and again. It puts our needs in perspective and helps us to realize who has the power – it is often not us!
However, when we are in the midst of the swirl called life in a broken world, it is often difficult to recount what God has done. All we can concentrate on is what is pulling at our legs. That’s okay, because we can ask God to help us remember. David states that in another Psalm –
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. (Psalm 111:4 ESV)
The next time worry, the world, or work begin to swish around your feet and threatens to topple your positivity, begin to recall the times God pulled you by the hand and helped you trudge through it. Think of the little ways He showed you that you could make it, gave you the encouraging message to keep going, and showed you that you were not alone. And if the rapids are too engulfing this time, ask Him to help you recall His blessings. You won’t offend Him. He will smile with joy that you asked Him to once again come into your life.
For more about recounting your blessings, consider P.R.A.Y.I.N.G.-Bringing Power and Purpose to Your Prayers
in ebook and paperback on Amazon.com or http://www.juliebcosgrove.com
