Counting my blessings

Over the last year I've been trying to count my blessings more. Not only counting them but also writing them down. Writing is a cathartic thing to do (I am sure I don't have to convince most of you of that!) I find writing down my blessings helps me to really own what I am sayings. I have a little notebook I keep especially for writing down my blessings. It helps to read back through it in times of darkness too.

I  want to thank God for what He does for me more. I still have a long way to go but I am beginning to see the fruit of praising Him. The more I look to Him and praise Him for His work in my life the more I see how much blessing He pours on me.

 

One powerful way God uses my praise and thanksgiving is to change my thoughts about difficult situations. This works for difficult people too. I find something about the person to praise God for and I write it down. Sometimes it is only something like 'I thank you Lord, that this person is a piece of grit in the oyster of my life and through them I will become more pearl like. But it works. God is honouring my praises and helps me to see things more from his way.

I have found that my level of trust is increasing as I take notice of all that God does for me. Taking note of all the good He does for me really does help me find more peace and trust.  It gives me hope for the future. If He has done this for me today, He will keep looking after me in the future. King David writes about this in Psalm 103, the first few verses of which are here. 

Psalm 103

A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

I recommend learning to count your blessings.  It really does make a difference.

What do you thank Him for today?

Lynda Alsford is a sea loving, cat loving GP administrator and writes in her spare time.  She has written two books, He Never Let Go describes her journey through a major crisis of faith whilst working as an evangelist at a lively Church in Chiswick, West London. Being Known describes how God set her free from food addiction. Both books are available in paperback and on kindle on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. She writes a newsletter, Seeking the Healer, in which she shares the spiritual insights she has gained on her journey. Sign up for this at her website www.lyndaalsford.com. She is also administrator for ACW.