Are You Blessed A Lot ... Or Not?

Our human tendency, in America, of focusing on one or two negatives, and ignoring our limitless blessings, is one of our most curious but prevailing liabilities. I have known hundreds of enormously blessed people who became so obsessed with a single, and sometimes trivial, negative, that their entire existence was consumed by it. And often that of their family's as well. A Negative attitude is not only self destructive but is contagious and often affects ... or infects family and friends as well. 

Positive thinking is a great benefit ... but, if positive thinking is not rooted in a biblical foundation of faith, and ignores evil and negative powers, it may be misplaced. One of the cardinal bible precepts is the broad and deep assurance that     "... All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom.8:28.   All things! All things! When you get that fact settled, deep down in your soul, negatives become positives ...by faith. Nothing happens, no matter how bad it seems, but that God either causes it or permits it for a purpose. God has a perfect will and a permissive will. But that is another subject. The verse above is a refuge in the storm, an  anointing, healing of wounds, and a ...   "Fear not:

for God is come to prove you..." Ex.20:20.   So if God causes or permits, for His  purposes, suffering and loss, and you  "love God",   yield to his will and know that you are also   "called according to his purpose."   It will work in your favor and even preserve health.

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Pet.5:10.

We don't have to like or approve of a person or a situation which comes our way, but if we don't learn that we cannot control everything or change some things, but still rest in our Lord and continue to tell or preach the truth, those negatives will neutralize our usefulness to Him. Jesus was surrounded by sin, negative people, and danger, but He stood fast in their midst and continued His ministry to those who would listen. But He did not heal or change or save everyone around him. But that was not a failure on His part but upon those who "would not believe". Neither will you convince all those around you. So Follow Jesus whether you see results or not. 

Reinhold Niebuhr put it this way ... "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Now, I know you have problems, pain or loss, but in spite of those few things, look on the bright side of your blessings... Are you blessed a lot ... or not?  Mentally go over all your blessings and see all the good things God has blessed you with. Think on those things. Think on those things.

Would you take a $million dollars for your sight? No? Then you have a million dollars worth of eyes. Be thankful for that blessing.

Would you take another 5 $million for your hearing, smelling and taste? No? There is a fortune you possess which you didn't even know you had. Be thankful for those blessings.

Would you take 10 $million for your husband, wife and children.? Put another 10 $million in your blessings portfolio. Are you blessed a lot yet ... or not? Maybe I should have just said "children". There are those who would take the offer for their spouse... and some would take it for their children. If that is you, deduct that 10 $million.

Would you take 100 $million, or a $billion for your blessed hope in Jesus and your eternal, heavenly home? Surely not! If you would, you don't really even have it ... to sell. But if you would not sell out, you are a multi- millionaire or a $trillionaire  ...in better things than money. Be thankful! Praise God! Be happy! And think on these things ...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Phil. 4:8-9.

World Bank Report - 

Nearly half the world lives on less 

than $5.50 a day: October 17, 2018 ... Are you bless a lot... or not?

Stop focusing on little obsessions which appear to be larger than they are. There are far more blessings than negatives.   "Think on  these things."   RB