Remembering God's Blessings In Your Life

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Posted by Pat Elsberry, October 16, 2024

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Some days, when we wake up, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. And if you're inclined to listen to the news, it's steeped in negativity, which can bring about worry and fear within us.

During times like this, it may be hard to remember what a blessed life we have.

Sure, life happens often, and things can seem overwhelming. If today is one of those days, let's take a moment to pause and remember when God has met you in your need. 

I love how Psalm 103 reminds us of the many ways God is there for us:

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

It is awe-inspiring to think about how God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies us. It's a powerful reminder to "forget not all his benefits".

When we find ourselves in a funk or feeling down about our lives, it's often because we're focusing on what we can't do or what we've lost.

But if we shift our focus to what we still have and can do and remember God's benefits, it can be truly transformative.

One effective way to remember God's benefits is by keeping a prayer journal. I have a friend who diligently writes down all the people and situations she prays for. When God answers those prayers, she makes a note of it in her journal. This practice of remembering who God is and how He has answered our prayers in the past can truly transform our day and our perspective.

God is the creator of the universe and holds each of His children in the palm of His hand.

No matter what chaos may be swirling around us, as children of the King of Kings, we can be confident that the world we live in is in the capable hands of our great and good God. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Pat Elsberry is an author, speaker, blogger, and a passionate advocate for parents dealing with grief after the loss of a child. Pat created multiple social media groups focused on providing hope to others who are walking the same path, including her blog, Hope During Loss. Pat facilitates an in-person grief share for women who have experienced child loss, and is also a moderator for Team Sharing, a nationwide peer-led support group for parents who have lost children to substance use disorder. Pat is the author of Beautifully Broken: Finding Hope During Loss, and will soon release her first devotional, Comforted by God. Pat and her husband, Fred live outside Atlanta and have a blended family of 7 children and 5 grandchildren. Her favorite things include traveling, cooking, gardening, dark chocolate, and worship music. You can find Pat on her blog, www.hopeduringloss.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @HopeDuringLoss.