“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
You’ll find the word “Blessed” written on an abundance of plaques, framed prints, and farmhouse pillows. We say, “I’m so blessed.” And throughout the South you’ll hear “Bless her heart.”
Marissa Henley, a writer for the First Five App, Proverbs 31 Ministries asked, “When do you feel blessed?” Is it on a bright, sunny day? You’re rushing to meet a friend for lunch, and the perfect parking spot, directly in front of the cafe’s front door, opens up? The menu includes all your favorite food, and the chef outdoes herself? Is it when things click into place, and your life and your relationships are all going smoothly at the same time? Maybe you feel extra blessed when you get a good report from your doctor? Or when friends or family gather around a large table with laughter and good food?
The pandemic of 2020 took away many of those occasions for us to feel blessed.
But maybe that’s not all bad. Maybe it provides us the opportunity to realize our blessings go way beyond our situations. Maybe it reminds us that our hope is misplaced if it is in the blessings of God rather than in God himself. Maybe it brings to our souls the desire to praise and glorify God for the blessings we have in Christ. Eph 1:4-10 list the blessings God gives us in Christ. Among them: we are chosen, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, lavished with grace, given a purpose, given an inheritance, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. All these blessings are ours—despite politics, despite angry rhetoric, and despite a Covid pandemic.
What if every time we saw the word blessed, or used the word ourselves, it triggered our focus to praise and thank God? Yes, thank him for our earthly blessings, but even more thank him for the abundance of spiritual blessings we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pray with me: Father we praise you, we bless you, we honor and glorify your name. Jesus, we thank you for coming to earth to bring us the gifts of salvation, eternal life, peace amidst strife, joy in any circumstance, and the gift of your Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and comfort us. We truly have all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Help us to focus on the blessings you shower on us and not on circumstances. Help us daily to return to your word and find your peace and comfort there. We love you and thank you. In the name of Jesus Christ who bestows on us every spiritual gift. Amen.
Leave a comment. Share some of the blessings your heart rejoices over today.
Cele LeBlanc 
This reminded me of a favorite old hymn, “ Count Your Many Blessings” and it’s direction to name them one by one. And when we do, yes we are often surprised what the a Lord has done. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
I like that. I hope you are enjoying the blessing of close family-especially during Covid!