Have you counted your blessings lately? What if we named our blessings throughout our day using the 5 ways to count your blessings?
Yes, I know it has been a challenging year. Chaos everywhere. Wars. Politics. Earthquakes. Typhoons. Hurricanes. Floods. Fires. Snow. Sickness.
A dear friend gave me a beautiful book by David Jeremiah, Season of Gratitude: A Celebration of Thanksgiving. The first section helps the reader focus on our blessings by asking us to count our blessings, like the old hymn, Count Your Blessings, by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897. Scroll down to read the hymn.
5 Ways to Count Your Blessings
“Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered.”
1 Chronicles 16:12 (ESV)
First, we must remember God’s work in our lives.
Pray to the Lord and ask Him to reveal how He has worked in your life. As you go about your day, use some of the 5 ways to count your blessings and thank God.
1. Pray God’s Word
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
God has blessed us in Jesus with every spiritual blessing. Do you know all the blessings that are available to you? They are in God’s Word, the Bible.
When you find a blessing like this one, prayerfully recite the Scripture and insert your name. For example, “Almighty God and Father of my Lord, Jesus, You have blessed me through Jesus with every spiritual blessing. As I read Your Word, reveal those blessings to me. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”
How do you pray God’s Word?
2. List and Declare Your Blessings
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he Has redeemed from trouble.”
Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV)
Ann Voskamp describes God’s gifts in her life in One Thousand Gifts. What a blessing and example she set.
How are you keeping a record of God’s blessings?
3. Set Up Memorials in Your Home
“And Joshua said to them, ‘Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”‘
Joshua 4:5-7 (ESV)
God commanded Joshua to have the Israelites pass through the Jordan River on dry land. Each tribe was to take one of the stones in the river bed as a sign or memorial of God’s miraculous leading into the Promised Land.
Joshua set up a memorial in Gilgal to remind the Israelites of God’s deliverance.
Do you remember how God has worked in your life? Put memorials throughout your home that remind you. I made a kite that reminds me of how God miraculously healed me. (You can read about it at “14 Lessons Since God Healed Me.”
What reminders do you have around your home that remind you of God’s work in your life?
4. Sing About God’s Greatness
“Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (ESV)
“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!”
Psalm 100:1 (NKJV)
I can’t sing well. However, I can shout to the Lord. I’m looking forward to a beautiful voice in eternity. How about you?
Are you singing and/or shouting about God’s greatness?
5. Put On Love
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)
Have you noticed that when you put on love, the peace of Jesus rules in your heart, and you become more thankful?
I challenge you to put on love and thank God for all His blessings and opportunities to love others as Christ loves you.
4 Types of Blessings to Count
There are many types of blessings. I’ve just named four types of blessings with Scriptures.
1. Eternal Blessings
“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NLT)
God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Holy and Righteous, loved you and me so much that He sent Jesus into the world. He came to love us, teach us, heal us, show us our sins, pay the price for our sins (death on the cross), and rise from the dead on the third day. He’s now sitting at the right hand of God speaking on our behalf.
All who have believed in Him, called Him their Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him.
Have you meditated on all Jesus has done for you and me? Do you understand that kind of love?
2. Everyday Blessings
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)
Our days can get filled with going here and there to get things. We work hard to get enough money to buy things, food, drink, clothing, and much more.
What is important is to seek God and His righteousness first.
Are you seeking God first and His righteousness? Do you believe that God will supply all you need?
3. Abundant Blessings
“On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”
Psalm 145:5-7 (ESV)
Think about God’s work in your family’s life and your life.
Has God’s work blessed you beyond your imagination?
4. Unexpected Blessings
“The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, ‘You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?'”
John 4:9 (NLT)
A Samaritan woman was surprised that the King of the Jews asked her for a drink of water and then blessed her with His Living Water.
How has God surprised you with a blessing?
Count Your Blessings Hymn
Verse 1:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Verse 2
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]
Verse 3
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]
Verse 4
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]
Count Your Blessings, by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897
Share some of the ways God has blessed you.