Counting our Misgivings

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17 NAS)

My career life has been anything but smooth sailing. The last few years have been especially difficult for me and my loved ones after I was laid off from a corporation and had to go into waiting mode with occasional freelance and contract assignments. When it came to the last straw on a number of occasions, I cried out to the Lord and He heard me, and provided a way. The way out, however, frequently involved a choice I had to make between pride or humility to turn away or humbly accept what was given, and perhaps someday repay the ones who had given help in my time of need.

Counting our blessings when we find it hard to, often contradicts how we feel. Yet the Bible exhorts us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

More often than not, however, we have chosen to count our tears and pains instead of our blessings. This is usually because of our lack of humility and because we prefer to sulk in our misery to complain. We question God why He did not answer the way we expect Him to or because He said “No” or to go through to learn. If only we are able to put aside our pride and misery, we might just realize the number of blessings we have far exceeds the number of times we go through the humbling process on our training ground.

Trials are times we come to realize our dependency and sufficiency are in the Lord and not in our own abilities. Difficult times open our eyes to see the many occasions God had placed the right people at the right place in His time to help care for us. Although, presently, I do not have plenty or the ability to share good gifts with those who have far greater needs than me and my loved ones, we have enough.

There is much truth in the saying, “If God is all we have, we have all we need.” For every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. If as parents we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to us who ask of Him (James 1:17; Matthew 7:11)?

Knowing our heavenly Father loves us so much, let us never ever doubt His plan for us is good. Stay thankful always and count our blessings instead of our short stints of sufferings, knowing that He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all will also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32). 

Dear Lord, thank You for blessing us and seeing us through the many areas of our life. We know Your plan for us is always good because You are Abba, our Father who loves us so much. Help us not doubt in our times of need to think that You would leave us without Your sufficiency. Keep our hearts humble that we might not because of pride turn down the help of others. Bless us wherever You place us, and keep us burning bright for You.