8 Principles For Embracing Trials-Part 6 Counting our Blessings

Blessings are on the head of the righteous... Proverbs 10:6 (NKJV)

Were looking at a devotional series titled, "8-Principles for embracing trials," and it is based off the Scripture in James 1:2 where we are commanded to, "Count it all joy when you face various trials."  To be able to "Count it all joy," we must first realize, God is allowing these trials.as part of His way of shaping and transforming us to be like Christ, and to be properly prepared for Christian ministry.  

In Part 5, we looked our fifth principle for embracing trials, which is, "When God allows trials to come into our lives, it reveals the true object of our love."  So, let's take a look at our sixth principle for our embracing the trials.

6.    Trials teach us just how valuable God's blessings are.

One of the many overlooked areas when facing trials and tribulations, are the blessings we have been given by God.  Here are just a few of the ways God blesses us abundantly.

• His free gift of Salvation
• His provision of His written Word - the Bible
• His abundant provision to meet our daily needs
• His mighty strength to empower us, and
• His shepherding of us in His great care

These are not an exhaustive list of God's blessings, but they do point to His love and compassion for us as His children.  We are told in Proverbs 10:6, "Blessings are on the head of the righteous."  We, who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior are declared "Righteous" by what He did on the cross, not by our works (Eph. 2:8-9).  And we're given a promise in Proverbs as well with regard to our receiving His blessings.

A faithful man will abound with blessings Proverbs 28:20 (NKJV)

We tend to place our value on the things of the world rather than those things of God, and when this happens, we can become disappointed, dejected, frustrated, angry, anxious, or even fearful when trials come our way.  We can tend to look at the situation as if something unfairly is taking place.  But, when we look at things with a proper biblical perspective, we can deduct, it is through the valleys of our trials where we will understand just how amazing God's blessings are in our life.  Truth be told, it is only when we experience a trial that the correct value of His blessings is understood and applied. 

In Psalm 63, we see King David's reaction to a trial he was facing, as he had fled from those who pursued to kill him.  And in the midst of this trial, David writes these words of praise to God.

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.Psalms 63:1-8 (NKJV)

This Psalm is a great example for us, and can be used as an outline for us to duplicate in our times of trials.  The format includes:

• Our seeking God's presence (vs. 1-2)
• Our confession of our faith in God (vs. 3-5)
• Our expression of confidence in the Lord in the midst of our trial (vs. 6-8)

Q:    So what should we do when facing a trial?

A:    We need to fix our eyes upon Jesus in the midst of our Trials - we need to trust Him.  As we do, we will be given a perfect peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

We need to look to Jesus, to see how and why he handled trials in the manor He chose.  Jesus has done everything to model an example of how we should, and can, face and endure trials - He kept focused on the joy that was before Him rather than the suffering He experienced on the cross.  

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

We too, need to focus on the rewards we will receive rather than the temporary agonies we will face during these tough times.  And we need to focus on the blessings we have currently been given as well.

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with respect to God's blessings and how we should focus on them in the midst of trials from the Scriptures contained within this devotional?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you looking at what God has blessed you with in the midst of your trials?  Are you keeping your mind focused and stayed upon Him?  Do you trust Him?

APPLICATION: Continue to focus on God throughout your trial and trust Him.  Know that He is in control of everything, and He will see you through the tough times.