This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, and I am always reminded that I have plenty to be thankful for every day. Sometimes, we complain about what’s going on in our lives. Sometimes we have some real needs that are being unmet, whether temporarily or permanently. We need patience, faith, and trust. We should not only be counting any and all blessings we have now, but we should also be counting on our blessings to come in the future thanks to our Heavenly Father.
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
As I encountered an itchy, burning rash that spread onto both of my legs and behind my knees over the summer, I struggled to overcome it. To this day, the itching occasionally begins to creep up yet again. I felt overwhelmed by how bad it had gotten because it was quite difficult to even walk a short distance when I was going through the worst of it. The doctor had obviously misdiagnosed it, and I had suffered greatly. The rash was close in appearance to shingles, but it was not shingles. I believe it may have been just as painful as shingles, but I don’t know for sure. What I do know for sure is that we can still count on our blessings even while we’re suffering.
I have also found that no matter what I am personally facing, particularly when it comes to medical issues or illness, there is always someone who is suffering or has suffered more than me. They may be facing permanent disability or loss.
I am reminded that we all face things that we never imagined we’d have to go through, and if we have God in our lives, we can face them much better with Him than without Him. We need God to heal all of our diseases. According to the Bible, he does heal them all:
“He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” (Psalm 103:3)
Then how come everyone is not healed? Many people have different views on this. Some say you are holding onto unforgiveness in your heart. Others say you just don’t have enough faith. The Bible indicates that if we are to be Christ’s followers, we will suffer for Jesus Christ.
“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.” (Philippians 1:29)
We all have to die from this life, so whatever is not healed here on earth, I believe, will be healed in the afterlife if we are saved.
I am counting on my blessings to enter into my eternal life with rewards because I know for a fact that I will be with God. I have the confidence of my salvation. Do you?
“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
If you have sought the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ, and you are saved, then you have no worry of this judgment.
“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:2-11)
No matter what life brings, through it all, start counting your blessings now and be assured that you can be counting on your blessings to come.
Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.
God’s Word for Today: “The godly are showered with blessings…” (Proverbs 10:6)
Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan
All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.
