In today's digital age, scrolling through social media often reveals a common refrain: "Feeling blessed." This declaration typically follows moments of triumph—a promotion, a salary increase, a new job, an exciting trip, a passed exam, or the joy of new friendships proudly displayed for all to see. However, this surface-level celebration of blessings overlooks a deeper, more profound truth about what it truly means to be blessed.
The Unspoken Side of Blessings
Rarely do we encounter posts where individuals proclaim they feel blessed while facing challenges and trials. Yet, it is in these difficult moments that people often discover an inner strength they never knew they possessed, finding the courage to endure and persevere. Similarly, we seldom hear someone say they are blessed because they did not achieve their hopes and dreams, yet they choose to dream bigger and work harder in response.
It is almost unheard of for someone to declare, "I am blessed because I am disappointed." Behind forced smiles and setbacks often lies a resilience that shapes character in ways success never could. People rarely acknowledge, "I am blessed because I fell," but as Nelson Mandela wisely noted, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." This perspective challenges the common notion that blessings are solely tied to receiving more than expected.
A Biblical Perspective on True Blessings
The Beatitudes, delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, present a radically different view of blessings. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the meek, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They shall be comforted. They shall inherit the earth." This teaching shifts the focus away from power, wealth, beauty, or status, emphasizing instead a reliance on God rather than personal strength or achievements.
Core Principles of Divine Blessings
According to Jesus, being blessed involves:
- Trusting in God during times of grief and repentance, believing in His healing and comfort.
- Responding with humility and gentleness instead of pride and aggression.
- Hungering and thirsting for righteousness, showing mercy, maintaining purity of heart, and promoting peace.
- Remaining faithful even when persecuted for righteousness' sake, finding joy and courage in God's recognition of steadfastness.
This framework redefines blessings not as material gains but as spiritual and moral transformations. It is about pursuing integrity and justice, extending compassion and forgiveness, examining intentions with sincerity, and staying faithful in the face of difficulty or unpopularity.
The Essence of True Blessings
Ultimately, being blessed is less about what we acquire and more about who we become. It involves:
- Choosing humility over pride.
- Remaining faithful through suffering.
- Embracing compassion instead of harshness.
- Valuing purity over hypocrisy.
- Promoting peace over conflict.
True blessing does not stem from worldly success or possessions but from living in alignment with God's plan and values. This invites a reflective question: Are we prepared to genuinely say, "I feel blessed," recognizing the profound blessings found in challenges, faith, and personal growth?
