What does it mean to be blessed?
The world defines blessed as having bliss, happiness, laughter, pleasure, earthly prosperity, possessions, or contentment. God defines blessed as the experience of hope and joy, independent of our outward circumstances. From this definition, a person can be blessed if they lack happiness, earthly prosperity, and pleasure. To some people – this would not be considered a blessed life.
This is what the Bible says:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”- Matthew 5:3-10
I don’t know about you, but when I am mourning or hungry I don’t feel blessed. In these moments it is so easy to focus on the problem. Maybe we have the wrong mindset.
God’s way of living contradicts the world’s way of living. The world might tell us one thing, but God tells us another. If we want to live for God we must be ready to do and say what the world views as strange. Think about how different your life would be if you realized that being blessed does not depend on your circumstances.
Look back at the verses in Matthew. When we give up our own rights and comforts, then we can receive everything that God has in store for us. God desires for us to receive the kingdom of heaven, to be comforted, to inherit the earth, to be satisfied, to receive mercy, to see God, to be called God’s sons and daughters.
“Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!” -Psalm 144:15
Is Jesus Christ the LORD of your life? Have you made the decision to give your life to him? Blessed are the people who have given their lives to Jesus. You can make that decision today and receive all that God has for you!
I hope this post has been encouraging! Be sure to add me on social media and share my blog with your friends! Thanks!
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Carol O.
at (11 years ago)It’s interesting you took on this “topic” or “word” or “state” of being blessed, blessedness. For too long now, I hear many people and see others post that they or their life is “so blessed.” And it makes me cringe. I believe it defines a feeling or state of (divine) love and gratefulness, etc. Who is to say a veteran of war who’s lost both legs and now runs or barely walks on prosthetic limbs doesn’t feel blessed? Blessed to be alive, to be loved, to run or just to barely walk again. I think everyone is blessed, even our animals are blessed not just humans. I think it’s a state. Even when grieving, one is blessed to be alive to be able to carry on, to still be alive to feel love and remember the love and acknowledge the love of the one(s) we’ve lost.
Tawana Ray
at (10 years ago)Great post! I really like this!! Thanks for posting! 🙂
Joy Skarka
at (10 years ago)Thanks Tawana! If you would like to read more posts be sure to follow the blog by e-mail on the right hand side. Or find me on twitter or facebook =]