Inside: Are your natural desires are interfering with your ability to be content? Try focusing on the blessings outlined in scripture that relate to actions and attitudes rather than material possessions or family status. ~
In our comparison-driven culture, it’s sometimes tempting to think God is pouring out His blessings on everyone but us.
We don’t know the whole story of other people’s lives, of course, or what it has cost them to be where they are and have what they have. But logic like that is often overpowered by our own God-given longings and desires.
When Randy and I were dealing with infertility, for example, it was difficult to hear people gush about how God had blessed them with children, or how their kids were the greatest gifts God had ever given them.
Painful Awareness
Children are wonderful blessings; if they were not, infertility wouldn’t be nearly as hard as it is.
But before God knit our family together through adoption, talk like this frustrated me. It seemed to imply—at least to my own hurting heart—that people without children (married or not) are somehow missing out on the ultimate blessing in life.
I was painfully aware of the scripture passage that talked about children being a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). But I also knew there were plenty of verses in the Bible (especially Psalms and Proverbs) that delineate other reasons for blessing, nearly all of which have to do with a person’s heart, actions, attitudes and relationships with God and others.
Count Them One by One
I made a list of these verses, and if you are longing for a specific blessing that everyone around you already seems to be enjoying, I hope what I found encourages your soul today.
We are blessed when we:
• Refrain from walking in the “counsel of the wicked” or standing “in the way of sinners” or sitting “in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1:1).
• Delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it around the clock (Psalm 1:2).
• Take refuge in the Lord (Psalm 34:8).
• Make the Lord our trust (Psalm 40:4).
• Have regard for the weak (Psalm 41:1).
• Learn to acclaim the Lord and walk in His presence (Psalm 89:15).
• Seek Him with all our heart (Psalm 119:2).
• Maintain justice and “constantly do what is right” (Psalm 106:3).
That’s Plenty, but There’s More
We also are blessed when we:
• Are kind to the needy (Proverbs 14:21).
• Are generous to the poor (Proverbs 22:9).
• Are faithful (Proverbs 28:20).
• Honor the Sabbath (Isaiah 56:3).
• Are disciplined by God (Psalm 94:12).
• Find wisdom (Proverbs 3:13).
• Serve others (John 13:11-17).
• Fear the Lord continually (Proverbs 28:14).
• Read the book of Revelation and take its message to heart (Revelation 1:3-4).
• Actively watch for the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:14-15).
Beauty from Ashes
The New Testament also reveals that great blessing often flows out of suffering and pain. Matthew 5:3-12 makes a convincing case for this:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This familiar passage reminds me of another biblical blessing that has nothing to do with material possessions or family status and everything to do with trusting God through suffering: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
In light of eternity, the blessings don’t get any better than that, do they?
♥ Lois
There are plenty of verses in the Bible that delineate other reasons for blessing, nearly all of which have to do with a person’s heart, actions, attitudes and relationships with God and others. Share on X The New Testament also reveals that great blessing often flows out of suffering and pain. Share on XNote: Parts of this post were adapted from my book Infertility: Finding God’s Peace in the Journey (Harvest House, 2003), available here.
P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
20 comments
Thank you for all this encouragement and comforting verses, Lois. As I read this, I’m thinking of the chorus of a song – My Best Friend – Len pointed out to me from the Redeemed Quartet this morning:
“He’s my bread when I’m hungry
He’s my shelter from the troubled winds
He’s my anchor in life’s ocean
But most of all- (but most of all-)
He’s my best friend”
We need Him so, don’t we?
Love and hugs and blessings to you, my friend!
Those are wonderful lyrics, Trudy … thanks to Len for pointing them out! Love and hugs to you, dear friend!
Great and beautiful reminders for us all — children or not.
We would all benefit from printing out those reminders and taping them to our bathroom mirrors to commit to memory in our heart and heads.
That’s so true, Laura. Good to hear from you this week!
Beautiful and timely post!
Thanks, Susan! 🙂
Lois such a good post for re-focusing our attention on the truth about blessings. Though the comparison trap is so difficult to avoid! (I fell in the other day)
My heart hurts for all you endured during your infertility journey, and for all those in the same place. My daughter-in-law after experiencing the stillbirth of Indigo Evangeline, has not been able to bear another child. For the past 10 years she has been an aunt, friend and caregiver to other babies than her own. And so many times she feels as you did.
How gracious God is to give us such beauty in these verses to help us see His goodness even when it doesn’t look like we may desire at the moment!
I hear you about the comparison trap, Donna. I’m sorry you fell in the other day … did you see me in in there too? (groan) I’m so sorry for what your daughter-in-law has experienced (and also grateful she has an understanding MIL like you).
Like you, I am praying for the peaceful perspective that “the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”
I love that, Michele!
What a great perspective. God has blessed us “exceeding abundantly.”
Amen, Barbara!
Lois, thank you for reminding us to focus on what we have been given and not what we think we lack. Thank you for reminding us to look at the many ways God has blessed us instead of how others have been blessed. Today you reminded me that our God does not withhold and He gives us good and perfect gifts.
Yes, Joanne … He surely does!
Lois, it is so easy to see what we feel we lack and feel overlooked or question why. Great thoughts!
Thanks, Debbie. I’ve been there, for sure. Biblical recalibration is always helpful, isn’t it?
The Scripture recalibrates us, turns us back to what’s important, what matters most. Talk about blessings! Thank you for sharing His words with us today, friend …
So true, Linda. I’m thinking of the chorus of the old hymn now … “Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.”
What a great post, Lois. I can relate to so much to your sentiments about infertility. Oh, my goodness: When you said, “When Randy and I were dealing with infertility . . .” I had a surreal moment. Even our husbands have the same name. I struggled with those feelings a lot for a long time. Especially when I saw questionable behavior. Like the time I was driving down the road and there was a child in the car ahead of me standing up in the seat looking out of the back of the car. It can be easy to ask God, “Why did you bless them and not me?” I never had children of my own, but God has worked on that part of me. I love how you tackle this post. So many infertility posts unconsciously seem to say that we should have enough faith and we, too, will be blessed with children one day. I love your approach that there are so many ways that God blesses us. That’s so true.
Ashley, I have a feeling we could have quite a long conversation about infertility! My heart aches for what you felt when you saw the child in the car. “Why her and not me?” was a question I had to work through too. I’m so glad you shared your thoughts here. The piece I plan to share with our writing group next has to do with this topic, and I know your input will be very helpful. (By the way, you are one of three friends of mine who have husbands named Randy!)