Be a Blessing Counter
Photo Credit
My husband I were verbally processing our emotions last night regarding an ongoing “situation” that has affected our family.
Well, I personally think it’s impacted our family — I’ve lost sleep over it. I’ve vented on the phone to my best friend in a high-pitched screechy voice. I’ve confessed to God that I know my explosive response is not pleasing to Him and asked for His help in changing my terrible attitude.
In short, the “situation” has gotten up in my craw.
Bruce, on the other hand, is just fine. Thank you. He told me last night that it’s not really bothering him at all.
While I am languishing in a quagmire, he is singing a happy tune and moving on with life.
I thought I was the optimist in the family, but now I am re-considering my personality profile.
I know I need to surrender my expectations. I know I need to walk in grace.
My unhappiness is not someone else’s problem. I can adopt a different perspective.
Rather than complain about what is not, I can choose to be thankful for what is.
I can determine to count my many blessings, and by naming them one by one, I will fight the ugly.
5 Things I am Thankful for Today:
- I am breathing: I get to live today. This is a gift, never to be taken for granted.
- “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6, NIV).
- I am forgiven: I am free from sin and condemnation. I’ve passed from death to life because of Christ. That’s reason to celebrate every day of the year.
- “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins…’ (Psalms 103:1-3).
- I am loved: God cherishes me, and nothing will ever change that. He will always draw near to me. He welcomes me in and embraces my beautiful uniqueness.
- “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1).
- I am protected: I am hemmed in by God and nothing can touch me without His permission. If I am experiencing any difficulty today, God will re-purpose my pain for His glory.
- “But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You” (Psalm 5:11).
- I always have hope: My story is not finished yet. God holds my tomorrow, and He is the Lord of the comeback. Focusing on Christ, rather than my circumstances, will help me to overcome the blues.
- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
I want to be a blessing counter, not a crybaby.
Let’s remember His goodness, rather than rehearse negativity.
Something to think about…
Just love this Lyli. Not that you were having a difficult time but that I certainly shared this experience with you. Yes I am the optimist in our family too. loved the pins too. So glad I read this tonight
So glad that this encouraged you, Jean! I am fighting hard to forgive & not be a negative Nellie.
Sometimes letting the water roll off your back is hard! I all too often cast my care on God one minute then take my care back the next! Praying for you, as I can relate.
Thanks. Elizabeth. It means so much to me to know that you prayed. xo
YES!! Thanking God for the cup today, Lyli! What a great image!
Sounds like more than a few conversations we’ve had around here the past 40 years! I hear ya’ …
And yes and amen to being grateful that we have a cup … half empty or not, Lyli.
Lyli, what a great post! I loved the Scriptures you used with your reasons to be thankful. I’ll be posting and pinning!
Thank you, Donna! You are a blessing. xo
Oh this is so good (as always)! I especially love the statement on the photo!
What a great message of encouragement. My cup is full even today as things have happened and changed everything I have been planning for over 8 months, but it’s ok because He fills me up and He is in control of all of it.
“Fight the ugly” ~ love it, Lyli! And whiney? I can’t see you that way. 🙂 Truth be told, there’s a whole batch of us in the whiney crowd from time-to-time, and it’s all due to holding those expectations. I hadn’t thought of it that way – that a case of “whines” often arise from unmet expectations. So it is. I’ll be sharing your happy thankfulness on social media today.
Good reminders, Lyli, for all of us! I pray the situation works out according to God’s will and that your heart is tender toward the outcome, whatever it may be. Blessings!
Thank you, June. Tenderheartedness. Yes, I need that prayer!!
Ugh! I feel your pain, Lyli! Been a rough emotional month for me, too–and taking it all to the Throne. I love your Blessing Counter–may need to lead out with that and breathe, as you say. All is well. All is well. All is well.
Joy!
Kathy
Love you, friend. May His peace go before you today. xo
I woke up today in a bad mood – negativity coursing through my pea brain. And had to take those thoughts and that brain by the scruff of the neck and do a 180. God is good. God is good to me. God is good at being God. Lisa Torquiest
PS My husband also is the calm cheery guy which can be annoying!
Yes, He is good. (and I am glad he is patient with me on my crabby mornings…. Seems like I’ve had quite a few of them lately!)
xo
I am thankful I have a cup, too. Love that attitude, Lyli! These 5 things are also good for me to hear to stop worrying so much about a particular situation.
So glad to hear that this encouraged you where you are at right now, Lisa. Praying for you. His favor surrounds whatever situation is troubling you. Praying that sinks down in your heart and fills your mind with peace today. xo
I loved this, and needed these words so much today. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to write this.
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Hugs and prayers, Megs
Oh Lyli – I want to be a blessing counter, not a crybaby too — I find that I am mostly the glass is half full, but sometimes, just sometimes things get to me – they used to get to me more and I stressed and fretted and my dear darling husband was the cool cucumber with not a worry – ugh – well, I guess he finally wore off on me. 🙂 Thanks for being real and sharing where you are at – I am praying for peace and sleep for you in the days and weeks to come
It’s good when our husbands calm us down and help us grow up a bit. Right? Bruce has done that for me as well.
SO sorry you are going through this, Lyli. God bless you and make all things right again. Thank you for the encouraging thoughts you share here. 😉
Thank you, Cheryl. He’s refining me through the process.. but I trust He doeth all things well. Hugs