One of my favorite old hymns is called, “Count Your Blessings.” It is a hymn written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman, Jr., with the tune being composed by Edwin O. Excell. Not only does the hymn have a great tune but the lyrics are good theology. My favorite verse is verse 1 which reads:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
We live in a world where life is not fair. Why do we have food to eat in America and millions around the world go hungry every day. Why do we have eyesight and 40 million people in our world today are totally blind. Why do we Americans experience such wonderful freedoms, where in many countries around the globe people live in regimes where there are few freedoms. We could list many other inequities.
Sadly, many people make the mistake of saying, since life is unfair that God must be unfair too. This is a grave mistake and believing this will always set you up for crashing disappointments in life. It is so important to realize that God is always fair, and even when we don’t understand why negative things are happening to us we can still trust Him to help see us through. We also need to understand that, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you and that when you are hurting, God hurts too. Always remember that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Trials and tribulations are always going to be with us because even though, as Christians, we are saved, our planet is still under a curse, because of sin. But be of good cheer because even when we get hit hard by trials and difficulties God will work them out for ultimate good. And that brings me back to this old hymn.
One of the great ways to combat the difficulties we will all face in life is to put on a heart of thanksgiving and spend time counting your many blessings rather than wallow in despair when a trial hits. Being thankful and counting your blessings will cause positive energy to radiate throughout your body with the following resulting benefits. First, you will be pleasing God because we are commanded in (1 Thessalonians 5:18): “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Second, counting your blessings will change your outlook on life to viewing everything in a positive light. Third, people will want to be around you because of your positive outlook on life and the wonderful encouragement you bring to all you encounter. Fourth, you will probably live a lot longer since a thankful heart leads to a healthy body in general. And fifth, a lifestyle of thanksgiving is the best medicine I know to feed your thirsting soul.
I don’t know about you but I make it a point to keep a thanksgiving journal where I list five things I am thankful to the Lord for every day. It’s almost two years since I started this daily habit and I can honestly say that God is indeed a good God and deserves my highest praises for all of the blessings He has showered me with over the years.
So, the next time a trial comes your way do what it says in the fourth verse of Oatman’s wonderful hymn:
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.