It’s All Good!

Philippians 4: 4 reads, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice.”  Not a bad verse to reflect upon at the beginning of each day!  There is reason for believers to REJOICE regardless of the circumstances that prevail in our lives.  We have REASON to rejoice in and through Christ Jesus, and – under His light, it is INDEED, “all good!”

When I recall these words, I am always reminded of the verses before it where Paul urges people in the church to help some women that are not living in harmony.  He admonishes the church members to “help these women” see the error of their ways and live/work/serve in harmony.  THEN he says, REJOICE in the LORD always.  There is an imperative in his words!

There’s a familiar hymn we sing, "Count Your Blessings.”  In part, it 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 hath done.

There's wisdom for all of us in that old hymn!  Sometimes life becomes so hectic.  Trials and troubles push their way into our lives and we become overwhelmed with the “stuff of life.”  Our focus becomes the circumstance and not the God who has promised to walk with us and sustain us in and through EVERY circumstance.  When we focus on our problems, we lose sight of the good things in our lives.  We “miss” God’s hand at work in the midst of our circumstance.

It is as though we are under a gigantic cloud that blocks out the sun.  We get irritable, depressed, and worst of all, we lose all perspective.  At times like this, we need to MAKE time to “count our blessings,” review all the reasons God has given us for rejoicing.
For me, I have discovered I start playing my “poor, pitiful me” collection at times when I should NOT be discouraged at all – right after a “spiritual high.”  That’s why my life needs the spiritual constant of time alone with God DAILY! 
 
If you are under the cloud today and about ready to pull out your “poor, pitiful me” collection, instead make the deliberate choice to COUNT your blessings!  It WILL surprise (astonish, amaze, astound, blow you away) what the LORD has done!  Try not to grumble and complain.  Count your blessings instead.  Below is a list to get you started – just reflect upon these truths and allow them to spark other reasons to praise Him this day:

• God LOVES you!!!!
  
• Jesus died on the cross for YOUR sins!!!!  YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN!!!!!
• Since you belong to Him, you will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
• You are a part of God’s Family!!  Do you comprehend the greatness of this statement!
• God has promised to NEVER abandon you!
• God goes before you to prepare the way in every circumstance you face.
• Did I mention, you have been forgiven!!!!!

Keep on going!  I am sure there are numerous other things you can think of.  Those gloomy, dark days of doubt and discouragement that seemed overwhelming, are being lifted as you begin to praise Him and count those blessings!  Those dark clouds are lifting and you are experiencing the warmth and the beauty of His bright sunshine!

God has indeed blessed us!  It IS ALL good, because Jesus IS LORD!