Devotion

I Am Blessed
Written by Michelle Smythers

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:20-21

Lately I've been thinking about my blessings. What made me start thinking about this is my latest struggles. When we begin a battle or something drastic happens in our lives, we have to make a decision: do I give up or do I press? I say 'press' because sometimes we don't feel like fighting a battle. Each day can become a fight just to get through the day. Just the thought of fighting can bring you down and depressed. I chose 'press' because of one of its many definitions: to force one's way. Many times, when we begin to struggle with something, it can overwhelm us. It can seem too big to deal with so it would appear to be easier to give up. That is when someone would have to force their way through the battle. Mentally and spiritually, we have to force ourselves to take step after step even though we know that God is there.

Look and listen to people that are close to you, in church and out of church. So many people are hurting because so many things are happening today. People are getting depressed because of job situations, living expenses keep going up, kids have so much peer pressure that they don't know which way to turn, marriages are in trouble because of the stress of life. The devil is having a field day in people's lives. He is doing all he can to rip families apart, bind people with so much fear and depression that they can't see their way out, tie up people's income so they can't help each other in times of need. It's time that we as a church family, not individuals, put the devil on the run. We need to run him away from our loved ones and our own lives.

One way to start is to count our blessings. When our praise goes up to God, His blessings come down. I have chosen not to dwell on what I don't have, what I can't control and what I cannot change. I have chosen to dwell on what I have - health, family, food, a house, work (even though it's not glamorous or high-paying) and a church family. Is my life perfect? Far from it. But I am still blessed! I am blessed to have a God that loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. He loves me so much that He has given me my daily needs. He loves me so much that He goes before me to lead my every step, but He still walks with me to hold my hand.

I could go on and on about what is wrong in my life, but I've made up my mind to focus on the blessings. I know there are times that we need to 'vent' to relieve the pressures of the day, but use that as a release. Then make up your mind that you are going to dwell on the good. Don't dwell on the problems, dwell on the Solver of our problems - God. We don't always have the answers for ourselves or others, but we are all blessed in some way. Let's not forget that.

Last Updated: September 28, 2026