Every Good Thing

“Count your blessings.” It’s a well worn phrase, but it embodies a philosophy of optimism and gratitude that we can all learn from.

I’m grateful that I have a wonderful wife to whom I’ve been married for almost 41 years. I’m happy that we have two terrific children who have grown up into responsible adults. I’m thankful that I have enough to eat every day and a roof over my head. I’m grateful that I belong to a church family full of people who love God and who try to love others to the best of their ability.

I’m thankful that I have air to breathe and clean water to drink. I’m grateful for dogs and cats, for flowers and trees, for grass to walk in, and a car to take me to places I want to go. I’m thankful for talented people who write books I want to read, who make movies I want to see, who play sports that I want to watch, and who invent products that make my life easier.

I’m especially grateful that I live in a country where I am free to worship God and tell others about him.

No matter who you are and whatever your circumstances, you too have much to be thankful for. Those good things in your life—every one of them—come from God. James 1:17 says: “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”  

Yes, life also involves pain and suffering and loss. Bad things sometimes happen—a topic I have addressed previously, and which you can read here.

But you have a choice about where you direct your focus. You can dwell on your pain and your problems, and be miserable. Or you can focus on all of the good things God has given you, including life itself, and be grateful.