Count your blessings

When I was young, I went with a youth group to climb a hill. It was quite high but able to be done by most people. When we started, the day was beautiful and warm so most of us just dressed in tee shirts and short pants. We managed to get to the top and were very happy with our achievement. As we were admiring the view, fog came in and the weather got cold. We could not see anything and had no idea how to get down to the bottom. We were lost. Some people began to climb down but returned because it was too dangerous. Everyone was cold and miserable. After what seemed like an eternity, we began seeing little breaks in the fog which slowly showed us what direction to descend. We were still afraid but finally got to the bottom. The break in the fog was a blessing to us.

In life we go through things that may scare us or concern us. We feel that we are in complete darkness until we see “light at the end of the tunnel.” Once we see the light we can move on.

When I heard the news that I had cancer it felt like I was surrounded by darkness. I could not see the end. One specialist would say everything was okay but the next visit another specialist would say it does not look good. I would hold on to the positive news I had until I heard something different. It was a roller coaster ride. I would see some light in the distance and then darkness again. Looking back, I can see the blessings of God even in that darkness. I had made peace with God several days after hearing the news but looking back I can see that I learnt many lessons. I had to depend on God because I could not depend on anything else. I had to learn patience because each specialist would give me a different answer and I couldn’t “blow up” at them. The biggest blessing in this was learning to be sensitive to other people. When someone was sick, previously, my stock answer was “harden up.” Because I had never experienced any serious sickness before I had no sympathy. I now have it. That was a blessing from God.

The only thing that helps me deal with difficult situations is to look for and find Gods blessings in them. Knowing that helps me to endure.

There is an old hymn that you may know called “count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” If you look hard enough you will see God in your situation. I know because I have finally understood that. It has helped me immensely and I know it will help you too. As Christians we need to look beyond the situation we are in (the darkness) and if we look hard enough, we will see the light. Is it difficult? Yes, it is but it can be done.

This is how I can get the joy and peace of God back into my life when I am struggling. I often look back at situations I have been in and although I am affected by them, I try and find the blessings in them. There are so many of them. I am still affected by the past, because I am human, but finding the blessings dull the pain and starts the healing process.

I want to encourage you to look for the blessings. They are there. If God is in every situation, so are his blessings. Count them if you can and you will be surprised at what God has done. My journey has helped me understand this and I know that God allows things to happen not to keep us in line but to help us know him more. I know more of God now not because of the Bible studies I have done or sermons I have heard and preached but the experiences I have had to go through.

Many people want to see the power of God so they go searching for it not realising that it is in front of them. How many times have you seen the power of God whether it has been in giving you a solution for a problem, or given you a physical or relationship healing? It may have been asking God to help you find something or shown you the right path to take and yet you have missed it? These are blessings we often don’t see or refuse to acknowledge. Have you ever felt the peace or love of God on you? That’s a blessing. Have you felt lonely and then without notice you get a phone call or someone visits you? That is a blessing. Someone may compliment you. That’s a blessing. We need to hold on to them. They are not a coincidence. It is God saying “I’m here for you. Just keep on going. I want to bless you.” God is saying that instead of looking at the darkness just find the light. That is when healing can take place.

I ask myself the question: how am I being healed through what I have gone thru in the past years? By looking at the blessings from God really does help.

Just let me indulge in the blessings of God over the past two years. Most will know my story so I will not elaborate but just to say after leaving the “cult” I lost everything including several family members.  I experienced rejection, hatred, no forgiveness, no love and literally hit the wall. I was in a tunnel and at that time could not see the light at the end. Looking back, I can now see the blessings that have occurred. Did I do anything to deserve them? No way!! I was a wreck but unknown to me at that time God was there. So, what were the blessings?

• I had to suddenly leave Australia where I had been living for 14 years and return back to New Zealand. My sons fell in behind me and I stayed with one son and from both of them got solid advice on what to do in the situation I was in. I could not think for myself. I was totally dependent on them as I was in a fog. I was emotional and could not function. My daughter in law arranged everything for me getting bank accounts, arranging appointments and the practical things. That was the blessing of God.
• My siblings who I had not had a lot of do with for years due to me living overseas came together for me. They all came from different parts of New Zealand to celebrate my 70^th birthday which happened a week after I arrived back. I was amazed at the love shown to me by them. I did not deserve it but it was a blessing from God. I was going to get a caravan to live in but did not know how to buy one and where to put it. One brother and his wife suggested that if I got a caravan I could stay on their property. The blessing of God. Another brother let me know of a beautiful caravan their neighbour had for sale. On inspection it was perfect and I brought it. The blessing of God. Another brother allowed me to stay at his home for several days while I was sorting out the caravan. The blessing of God. I had stressed about where I was going to live, what kind of caravan I should buy and what I was going to do but it all fell into place without me doing anything. The blessing of God.
• The relationship with my siblings had not always been strong for a variety of reasons but they pulled together for me and now I cannot imagine how it could get any stronger. We have fun together, hug each other. It is a miracle but a blessing from God.
• I had visited Pakistan about three years previous and met a family I felt very drawn to. The wife could speak English but I did not know why I was drawn to them. We communicated on a regular basis from that time. They were genuine and did not and have not asked for any money from me which made me all the more certain that I met them for a reason. When the “Cult” thing happened they also rallied around me. The husband had a dream from God which after it was explained to me has enabled me to accept what has happened. The message conveyed to me thru the dream said that God had allowed the terrible situation as a way to get me out of the “Cult.  That was the answer to the “Why Lord?” I had been asking. The blessing of God. Together with my own family and siblings they have helped me to get the healing I have needed. I lost my only daughter through what happened but God has given me a Pakistani one to replace what I had lost. I could not be happier. The blessing of God.
• I lost all of my friends and a Church but after being introduced to a small home group I now have made friends and grown close to them both socially and spiritually. The blessing of God.

I mention these testimonies to show you that God is                 there and I hope you are encouraged to look and find him.

I’m getting through life by remembering the blessings of God. There have been miracles that I could never have imagined. Remembering these blessings is getting me through the dark times.

This blog is longer than usual but I felt that it will help us all to see that you are not alone in what is happening in your life and hearing how others are coping may help. That is the power of each other’s testimony. We all go through the darkness but just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is God and his blessings which is the light and will get us through.