Counting Your Blessings

Overview
God is good! Well, most of us believe that is trueat least, in our heads. But then we are disappointed, frustrated, and confused by so many situations, and there grows a gulf between our heads and our hearts. We know God is good, but we dont feel it as much as we did before. The trouble is, its easy to see specific, concrete things that hurt us, and it takes effort sometimes to remember Gods generosity even when it is all around us. The practice of counting your blessings is simple, but powerfuljust take some time and start listing specific, particular blessings. They can be biglike salavation, grace, hopebut often its the ordinary, every day blessings that catch us off guard: a faithful friend, a quiet sunrise, a gentle breeze. As we count our blessings we begin to remember just how kind, faithful, and generous our God really is, and when he allows painful things, its easier to believe hes our for our good. For more from the Bible, look at Psalm 136, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 103:1-14.

For a 3-minute video introduction to this practice, visit www.fbcslo.org/pages/online-resources

Practicing
In his book, Prayer, George Buttrick relates a story that illustrates our usual way of seeing the world: A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper on which was one blot. He asked what they saw. All answered, A blot. The test was unfair: it invited the wrong answer. Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy. We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin: we could never end: there are not pens or paper enough in all the world. The attempt would remind us of our vast treasure of content. What makes up your vast treasure of content? Take some time to make a list this week. Spend 10-15 minutes each day thinking and writing down, in a list, blessings that God has given that you are thankful for. Some of them will be big, significant, life-changing: a spouse, Gods love, the Cross. But dont forget to include the little tiny blessings that you might overlook: crunchy fall leaves to step on, the sound of ocean waves, a playful puppy. Choose particular blessingsavoid general, abstract ideas. The more concrete you are, the more hard it is to avoid that these are blessings God has given you. Also, stick to your experience. Things you have seen, touched, smelled, tasted, felt, learned, are probably more important than things youve only heard of second-hand. Try to get down 20 things... then 40... then 80... then see how far you can go! Author James Bryan Smith writes, This exercise will help us shift our focus away from the few things that are wrong to the many things that are beautiful and wonderful... I hope this listing exercise will not be just a one-time exercise but a new, ongoing habit that turns into a lifestyle. In every single moment we have an opportunity to find something worth being amazed by. The more we do it, the more likely it will become a habit, and eventually we will find ourselves doing it without thinking.1 Each day this week, look over your list and give thanks to God for His many blessings. Then thank Him for who He is, that He would give such blessings! Let the list be a reminder of how trustworthy and generous God really is in your experience.

1 from The Good and Beautiful God, p. 71-72. We read this book in the Apprentice class, and engage in many soul-training exercises like this one. Contact Ben Barczi to find out when the next class begins!