This weeks writing challenge topic from the Review Crew is on the wonderful blessings of God. I have to be honest, my first reaction was a slight eye roll and a bit of a scoff.
In surveying the world around us, it seems difficult to see the blessings of God. The political tension alone is enough to cause anxiety, but add the fear of a pandemic and civil unrest, and it’s beyond discouraging.
The fact is, there are blessings all around us. If we will just pay attention, we will see them.
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Do you have any friends you find annoying because they see the positive in every situation? Regardless of the circumstance, it’s rainbows and unicorns? When I feel grumbly and want to wallow in my own little pity party, I don’t call those friends.
Corrie Ten Boom had a sister like that. If you are not familiar with her story, I highly recommend reading The Hiding Place. One encounter in the book tells of when she and her sister Betsie were housed in concentration camp barracks infested with fleas. Corrie complained, but Betsie encouraged her to thank God.
Despite relentless suffering and misery, Corrie and Betsie obeyed God’s word and gave thanks. Even for the fleas.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Spoiler alert! God used the fleas to keep the guards out of the barracks. Corrie and Betsie were able to share their faith, and worship without being hindered. Other prisoners came to know the Lord through their witness.
Giving thanks in the midst of suffering is a tough concept. We are not to limit our thankfulness to only when life circumstances feel easy. When we walk in obedience we will experience blessings.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Millions of lives were lost during the Holocaust. Many of the women that came to faith through the witness of Corrie and Betsie lost their lives. They did not live with the hope of freedom from a concentration camp. They lived with the hope of eternity in heaven. That should be something to rejoice.
Our perspective of every situation is so important. If we focus on the Lord and are intentional with gratitude, He will fill us with peace. We cannot prevent bad things from happening. We can choose to trust Him and surrender our will for His.
Too often my first instinct is to grumble when life is not going as I expect. When I intentionally choose to give thanks and look for the blessings of God, my heart changes and He works through the situation. When outcomes do not always line up with my will, I remind myself to trust an unknown future to a known God.
How do you see the wonderful blessings of God? Leave a comment, or check out what others are sharing through the links below.
Those who lived through the World War II time period like Corrie definitely knew about the blessings of God. I would highly recommend the book ZVI about another survivor from that time period. How do you encourage your children to count their blessings throughout the day?
Thanks for the book recommendation. I looked it up, and am adding it to my book list. The easy answer for teaching my kids to count their blessings is to draw their attention to them, and encourage them toward thankful attitudes. Of course, every parent knows it’s never that easy. This is a great topic that needs a well thought out response. I’m going to add to my writing prompt list as I think it will be a little longer then a comment box will hold.
I have never read The Hiding Place but have a read a whole lot of other books on Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom. Amazing family that was! I actually have The Hiding Place in my bag right now to read. Maybe I will get it started this afternoon.
They were definitely heroes of the faith. It the first book I read abou the Ten Boom’s, and I couldn’t put it down once I started. So inspiring!
glad you wrote the post instead of staying with your slight scoff. 🙂 well written.
Thank you! I’m forever working in my scoff. 😉
I have just started The Hiding Place. I read Amazing Love and then moved onto this book of hers. I love her story and wish that I had been introduced to it sooner.
I felt the same way when I first read The Hiding Place. Such an amazing testimony.
we so need to mind our perspective don’t we. it turns challenge into blessing more oft than not.
Yes. I really need to work on adjusting my perspective more quickly. 😉