| February 1, 2023 -- Bless the LORD O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. James 1:17
“And if you try to reckon up Allah’s favours, you will not be able to count them. Truly man is very unjust, very ungrateful” (Sūrah Ibrāhīm, 14:34).
At certain times almost all of us have had moments when we think about things that have gone wrong in our lives and wonder why life isn’t better. But it is seldom we stop and think about how many things have gone right for us. We notice when we need to stop for a red light but don’t notice when the light stays green, or when we cannot find a parking spot, but not when we do find one. If we honestly reflect on our lives we should realize that far more often things go right than go wrong.
Unless we live north of the Arctic Circle, we can count on the sun coming up every morning. And even when we cannot see the rising sun because it is raining, that too is usually a blessing, because more often than not the land needs the rain. Many other examples of God’s favor towards us will come to you if you really think and ponder.
And yet, how often DO we stop and think of all our blessings? With few exceptions, not often. It’s not too late to make another New Year’s resolution to think of all the blessings which God gives us continually and thank him for them. While we should be thankful to God “at all times and in all places”, it might be especially helpful to set aside a specific time each day to meditate on the long list of gifts that God has blessed us with, such as at bedtime.
“When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep: And then fall asleep, counting my blessings”.
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