Let me Bless You Already!

Have you ever known someone that was hard to bless? Woman are notorious at being bad at receiving compliments. When someone tells us we look pretty we tell them we paid $4.00 for the dress we are wearing. The same kind of person doesn't want us to do anything for them.

I never really stopped to think that when I act like that I am robbing the other person of a blessing.

Sound backward?

True that person is trying to bless me, but when I allow that person to bless me, it blesses them as well. I'll give you an example - the one that opened my eyes in fact.

I gave someone at church a compliment and they received it in a joyful way. She was clearly blessed by my kind words and showed it. That REALLY blessed me! It made me feel so good, and here I was only thinking about making her feel good!

Our Pastor has a phrase he likes to use that says "blessed to be a blessing." That is so true! I guess we think we are being more Christin when we refuse to let someone help us or compliment us, but that thinking is backwards.

I challenge you (along with me) to try to receive what is given you with pure joy, and let's watch and see what happens!

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Boy, I don't know about you, but I am not always good at rejoicing continually. I can get in moods when all I can see is the negative. But,

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

If only I could really get a hold of these scriptures and REALLY believe them. What a life I would live! What if Jonah had praised God in all circumstances? God saved Nineveh, but because Jonah's heart was so hard and stubborn, he missed out on a blessing. God STILL saved Nineveh in SPITE of Jonah's resistance. I love that part. God is going to get done what He wants to get done regardless of how cooperative we are. BUT what a blessing Jonah missed out on. What would his ministry been like if he got on board with God instead of having to be in control? What will MY life be like if I can get my eyes and mind aligned with God and rejoice in all circumstances, knowing God is in control and He works all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose? I hope some day to at least move closer and closer to this goal. I know God has abundant life, joy, peace, and spiritual blessings in store for us!