This week's guest post is from a lovely young woman named Victoria. 

When she first sent me this post, I sat there and read it in awe, because these same thoughts have been on my mind lately as well.

We live incredibly blessed and comfortable lives today, especially in the United States. We have everything we could ever want and more than any other generation had before us. And this has made us a tiny bit entitled. I mean, we even have a hashtag for it. #FirstWorldProblems. 

But, when something bad happens in our lives, even if it's something small like a fender bender, we can get frustrated or even angry with God. As if, somehow, we deserve only the very best in life. (Or maybe that's just me?!)

That really isn't what being a child of God is about though, so thank you, Tori for sharing your thoughts on  blessings and how we can accept them in a way that honors God. 

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Autumn has arrived. Thanksgiving is drawing near, and with that comes a multitude of things: cooler weather, fall decorations, leaves changing colors, and wardrobes refreshed with proper attire for the new season. Our lives are full of tiny miracles, blessings, joys, intercessions, and much grace.

How often do you think about those small blessings in your life? It could be a hot cup of coffee on a chilly morning, a smile from a close friend, a warm house in the winter, a friendship, the list goes on eternally. For most of us, these are things that we don’t even stop to think about. They're always there for our disposal, so we take them for granted.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  Proverbs 10:6

However, when one of these blessing disappears, what is your first thought or action? Let's be honest here. Do you fuss and fume about a missing comfort? You thought you deserved it and now that it's gone you start to feel disadvantaged and inconvenienced.

We live in America, one of the most prosperous countries in the world. We have everything at our fingertips. A hot meal, our cars, nice clothes, credit cards, and hundreds of TV channels.

Today, there are 842 million people who are starving at this very moment, 100 million without homes, 197 million without jobs.

These people know true suffering. They know how to appreciate those small blessings in their life. Even something as simple as a new pair of shoes or a hot meal.

We are privileged to have so many blessings in our lives. So when a blessing "disappears" and we become inconvenienced we need to respond properly. God may be testing you by removing a comfort from your life.

How will you respond? Will you become angry? Frustrated? Unfortunately, this is way too common for way too many people. I, myself, forget over and over that I am given blessings and that I don't deserve them in my life. Remember a blessing is a blessing.

The next time a blessing "goes missing," turn your thoughts to someone that is struggling, perhaps they're just trying to get by with the bare necessities, ask the Lord to abundantly bless them and guide them.

By doing this you have turned your attention and your thoughts from your self (it's kind of hard to dwell in self pity when you’re thinking about someone else!). You will be blessing someone, and I guarantee you will be doing the right thing.

You will be doing what God wants you to do. So stop. Think about those small blessings in your life. Thank the Lord for them. Sing like never before.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria is a sinner saved by grace. She's a daughter to loving parents, sister to two firefighters and an energetic little sister. She spends much of her time in the kitchen and enjoys experimenting with new recipes. She’s currently learning photography and enjoys doing photo shoots for friends.

Victoria also loves math, learning, babysitting, playing volleyball, spending time with her friends, riding horses, and dreaming about one day attending culinary school. She admits that she doesn’t lead a glamorous life, but it’s a simple and happy one and that’s just the way she likes it.