Count Your Blessings

by Greg Quinn

November 21st, 2022

Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is an old hymn with a significant meaning for life that has endured through the ages and is as significant now as it was many years ago when it was written and will be effectual for the rest of our lives.

Written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman, the hymn COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS provides us a recipe for living in peace and joy regardless of our circumstances.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

How would life be different if instead of complaining of what we DO NOT have, we give thanks to God for what we DO have?

Each one of us has much to be thankful for, so doesn't it make sense that our lives will be better, more at peace, and more joyful if we focus on the good things in our lives instead of complaining or dwelling on the bad things?

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

When you opened your eyes today, did you give thanks to God that you had eyes to see? Did you say "thanks Lord" that you had breath in your lungs, that you woke alive another day?

Maybe things haven't worked out for you the way you wanted. Instead of being discouraged, focus on what blessings you do have. I tell you the truth, it will totally change your perspective on life!

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

Ann Voskamp wrote a book named ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2011 which has sold more than a million copies. In this book she chronicles how she learned to focus on the little daily blessings, the things often overlooked in our lives, and how regardless of the circumstances, one can be truly thankful. This little book changed my life about how to focus on what God has done in my life instead of what He has not done.

How would your life change if you took inventory of all the good things you experience each and every day? You may have good health and that's surely something to be thankful for. Perhaps you are not well, but you can look around and realize you have better health than many more. You can see; there are many who are blind. You have a computer to read this article; there are many who do not. We live in a free country, America, even amidst the challenges of our nation we are superior to others due to the freedoms we do have. How thankful are you for the men and women who have given their lives over the years to gain for us this freedom? Do you notice the bird on your windowsill and its beautiful song? Do you enjoy the feeling of a cool autumn breeze against your face? When you look at your checkbook do you thank God for what is in there instead of fussing about how much money you lack? Are you living in a home? How many in our culture do not have a shelter to live in? When you look at your body are you appreciative for what you have instead of what is lacking?

"Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly. And you will be singing as the days go by."

We all have burdens. We all have problems. We all must face the daily cares of this world. So it is not unusual that you have problems; everyone does. It is not the problems itself that cause you grief and steal your joy of life, it is how you look at your problems that makes the difference.

What if you looked at your problems as an opportunity to change? What if you looked at your blessings instead of your problems?

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

Sometimes perhaps the cross you carry seems unbearable. Perhaps it is a sickness without a good future outcome? Perhaps it is the loss of a loved one? Perhaps it is the illness of one of your children? Perhaps it is financial hardships? Maybe it is the loss of a home? Maybe it is the lack of food? Maybe you don't like your wardrobe and wish you had different clothes? Maybe it's the old clunker car of yours that's on its last leg? Maybe you are being evicted from your home? Maybe you have lost your job and you don't know what to do next?

Instead of focusing on these challenges, which not to make light of them as they are real and they are heavy and they are a burden to which sometimes you do not have the answer, why not focus on the solution. Perhaps focusing on the real answers which are found in the Bible and which are eluded to in this old hymn will give you a new perspective on life? Sometimes it is not what we experience in life, but how we see what we are experiencing in life that makes the difference.

Given these same problems as mentioned above, can we look at them differently?

Perhaps you are sick and you do not know if you will experience healing or not this side of Heaven? Perhaps your prognosis is terminal? Can you decide to live each day to the fullest that you do have here on earth? Can you appreciate each breath you take? Can you enjoy each small blessing that comes to you each day instead of focusing on the limited number of days you may or may not have?

Perhaps it is the loss of one you love? We all have experienced the loss of a loved one, and that's one of the most difficult things to bear. Death is as natural as birth. Facing the death of someone you care about is one of the most difficult things we will experience. Yet we can think of the good times we have had in the past with that loved one who has departed this earth, instead of focusing on the loss that they will not be with you tomorrow. If they know Jesus, and so do you, then you can rest assured that you will see them again, and the years that you miss with them here have no comparison to the eternity you will spend with them later. Instead of focusing on the loss, you can focus on the legacy they have left while they lived on this globe.

Financial hardships are tough. Not having money to buy food or clothing. Fear of losing your home. Fear of losing your job and means to support your family. Economic challenges of the day in which we live. Very difficult. Most of us have experienced this to some degree, and some much more than others. What if we focused on what we do have to wear instead of what we do not have hanging in our closet? What if the challenges of lack of money taught us to use what we have more wisely? What if we replaced the fear of losing our home with the knowledge that the Lord, who is good, will provide for us another one should that happen? If you lose your job, there are others you can get. If you lose your income, don't you think you can creatively find other ways to bring in money to support you and your family? Instead of complaining about the old clunker car, can you appreciate that you have one at all?

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

"When you look at others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings money cannot buy, your reward in Heaven nor your home on high."


How many times have we heard stories of people who are incredibly rich here in this world, but they miss the true riches by not preparing for the next world? Is it more important to have lands and houses here on earth to enjoy for maybe 40-50-80 years, or rewards in Heaven which are tremendously greater that you will enjoy for eternity? Money cannot buy the real great things; these only come through appreciation of what you do have, a love for God, and efforts in this life to live righteous and help others. It is not a rich man who has great wealth here for a short season, but one who has built riches for eternity. Do not envy the rich businessman for his earthly accomplishments and wealth; envy the man or woman who have lived a Godly life on earth as they are the ones who will enjoy the true riches.

"So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all. Count your many blessings, angels will attend, health and comfort give you till your journey's end."

It is a given that in this world we will have challenges, conflicts, problems. It is inevitable. Even Jesus promised it. All history confirms it. So do not focus on whether or not you will face challenges and will have problems, because you will. Perhaps you do not know what kind of problems you will face today or tomorrow, and whether they are large or small problems. But regardless, we can dwell on one thing, and that "God is over all". Regardless of your problems, you can have the peace of knowing that the Bible promises, "God will never leave you or forsake you." "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." You never have to face any challenge alone; God is always with you. In this we can take great comfort and can, as the Apostle says, have joy in spite of our problems.

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

Today I woke up and had another breath and could open my eyes and see, and I said thanks to God for this blessing that so many others do not enjoy today.

I go into this Thanksgiving season with intent to reflect upon the family and loved ones I still have instead of focusing on those who are no longer here.

Today as I watched the birds gathering food outside my window, I am reminded of how God promises he will provide for us, as how much better are we than the birds that He feeds.

As I rose today with normal aches and pains for a 65-year old man, I am learning to not pay attention to these, but focus and express gratitude instead for the health that I do have.

As I look over world news on my iPhone, I am reminded how great it is to live in America. In spite of our problems and they are many, I am still free.

Today I am appreciative of the heritage I gained from my family, the importance of family, the importance of the church, the importance of trusting God in all things, the importance of being appreciative for what we have. I am appreciative that I was born and raised in the "Bible Belt" where the teachings of Christ were given to me in my formative years.

My wife and I are going into a third holiday season without my son and his family, and yet while this is sad and causes great pain, I can appreciate all the years we had together.

This Thanksgiving is the third Thanksgiving without my brother Jeff, but I still have the memories of the ones we had. This Christmas is the third Christmas without our beloved Mother, but I can choose to focus on all the previous Christmases we enjoyed together.

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

When you reflect upon your life, take notice of the good things instead of the bad. Don't worry about yesterday as it does no good. Focus on what you can do today to make a difference in your life, and that of others, tomorrow.

What if you started today, yes today, keeping a journal or a list in a notebook of "little things" you experience each day that can be considered a blessing? Would this make a difference in your outlook? I bet you this would change your life and the lives of those around you. And I also bet that it would have you focus on building up great riches in Heaven which comes from loving and trusting God and serving Him here each day you live.

"Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

God bless you as you embark on your new journey for a better life through thankfulness.

Greg Quinn