Can we find God’s blessing in our life despite all the struggles? Fiona reminds us how vital it is.
“’. . . because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 16:5b)
When the children of Israel escaped from Egypt, God promised them was that He would lead them. They followed a pillar of cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire at night and knew that God was with them as He had promised Moses in Exodus 33:14:
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'”
As we know, the Israelites weren’t always good at doing what God wanted them to and they suffered years of wandering in the desert because of their disobedience–but God was still with them throughout their journey.
I was reading Jeremiah recently and came across the above verse where God talks about withdrawing His blessing from the people who had strayed from the Lord’s ways. Maybe they deserved it, but I found myself wondering how we could ever survive without God’s blessings?
Blessings have become something I’m trying to focus on more and more–rather than my pain and the challenges in my life. God blesses me in so many ways–I can’t even contemplate what life would be like if His blessings were withdrawn.
I don’t think God takes His blessings away from us anymore as He did in these Old Testament times, but I was reminded of something I was told once. How would life would be if we lost everything we hadn’t thanked God for?
We need to be mindful–giving thanks for each and every blessing in our lives; appreciating God for the difference He and all His blessings make; aware that without them, we would be nothing and life would be a misery.
I’m sure some of us know times when life still seems a misery or when it’s hard to be thankful for the health problems we face. Can we see them as a blessing and give thanks to God, even then? Is pain a blessing?
It may never seem so on the surface, but God is teaching me so much through my pain, that I’m believing it is a blessing still.
Prayer: Thank You Father that You continue to bless my life, even when its in ways I don’t understand. Keep me mindful of Your blessings and help me trust You more each day. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He is teaching her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
Do you struggle to see blessing in your pain, or in your illness? What makes it possible to thank God for the challenges as well?
Fiona thought you may like the song “Count Your Blessings” and I thought this one with Bill & Gloria Gaither (feat. The Martins) a great version. Go ahead and clap along or tap your foot. Nobody is there to watch you! -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 