Blessed???!

 Are you?  What do you do with/about being blessed? Do you hoard it - holding it tightly to you so it doesn’t ‘get away’? Perhaps you put it in a little box, under lock and key, and put it somewhere ‘safe’? Do you act on your blessing? Do you spread the joy around? Do you share (bless) others ? Do you believe that your blessing is a gift for you to treasure? Exactly how do you react when you realize you have been blessed? Is the lack of realization the issue?

www.gotquestions.org says:

   "Quite possibly, the most frequently used word in the Christian’s vocabulary is

    blessed. “Have a blessed day,” (etc.) ...  It’s even common among unbelievers

    to describe themselves as “blessed.” Some people think of blessed as a

    spiritual term for “good fortune,” like when we receive something good, the

    desired outcome, or an exceptional comfort.  ...

    The Greek word often translated as “blessed” is makarios, which means

    “fortunate,” “happy,” “enlarged,” or “lengthy.” Makarios is used in the

    Septuagint (a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language) and

    the New Testament to define the kind of happiness that comes from receiving

    favor from God. Consequently, the word can also be translated “favored.” In

    the New Testament, it usually carries the meaning of being “blessed by God.”

    Mary, the mother of Jesus, was “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42–45, 48),

    it was the Lord God who had blessed and favored her."

I can almost hear the comments - OK, but what does that mean for me!!!? Got Questions:

   "Perhaps the most well-known use of the word blessed in the Bible is found in

    the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12; Luke 6:20–23). Jesus used the term blessed

    in the framework of the Beatitudes to describe the inner quality of a faithful

    servant of God. This blessedness is a spiritual state of well-being and

    prosperity—a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty,

    grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life. In

    human terms, the situations depicted in the Beatitudes are far from blessings,

    but because God is present with us through these difficult times, we are

    actually blessed by Him in them. 

    The true servant of God is blessed, regardless of circumstances, because God

    has favored him or her with a fully satisfied soul (Psalm 63:1–5; John 4:14).

    The material things we crave can never bring genuine happiness or

    contentment. True fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God

    through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1–2)."

This should give a broader basis for understanding how, not if, you are blessed. And it gives the manifestations of blessed. One of our greatest foundations for understanding blessed is the Beatitudes. Read them again... in a variety of versions that will expand how you apply this word to your life. For a greater perspective, I have to share the Message version of Matthew 5:3-12:

   "You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there

    is more of God and his rule.

    You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then

    can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

    You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.

    That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t

    be bought.

    You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and

    drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. 

    You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find

    ourselves cared for.

    You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put

    right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

    You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of

    compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place

    in God’s family.

    You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The

    persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

    Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or

    throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that

    the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad

    when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do!

    And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My

    prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

Do you see all the ways you are ALWAYS blessed? Can you think of anything that has been left out of your blessings? Never doubt or question (especially in desert and times of stress) if you are blessed - you are! Just rest in the blessing you need.