We see it on so many Instagram photos these days. A hashtag that lets people know, “Hey, I got the life I want.” That new car in the driveway of your new home, while your newborn is sleeping in your arms? #blessed.
That’s not a bad thing… in fact I like seeing people enjoy life! When it concerns me is when it’s used as a cover up. When I know there are loan papers keeping them up at night, fear in their hearts about raising a child, and a strained relationship with the spouse who works all day and night just so that they can live this “#blessed” life.
As a pastor, one of my greatest goals is for everyone I come into contact with to understand what true blessing looks like. Not the kind that we wear on the outside to impress people, while our insides are screaming for help. The kind of blessed that comes from the inside out, because we know that no matter what, God is working for our good.
Romans 8:28 says that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who stay called according to His purpose.”
But we have a part to play. In order to truly be blessed, we have to let God love and lead us. We let God love us when we don’t live in condemnation for our past, but we live in excitement about what He can do in our future.
Paul’s words in Colossians 3 help us to do that. He encourages us to clothe ourselves with attributes like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and most of all— love. Even in the middle of the tough stuff.
In Exodus 15, we read the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of captivity. God parted the Red Sea for them— performed this huge miracle— and then led them straight into the wilderness. There, they had no water for three days. The name of the city, Marah, literally means “bitter.”
Now, obviously, after God saved them, He could have led them anywhere. Why did he lead them straight into a time of bitterness? Because He knew— it’s how we handle the bitter seasons that determine just how sweet our lives will be. When we do bitter seasons God’s way, they end up #blessed— the real way.
Here’s how we can do that. First, we’ve got to handle God’s authority right. When we honor what He says, our lives will work out for the best. Then, we have to allow Him to nurture our hearts. We have to not think we know it all. Instead, we have to humbly allow God to heal our hearts and change our perspectives.
Finally, we should focus on mentoring. Focus on learning from those who have already come out of bitter seasons blessed. Because what God has done for them, He can and will do for you. Trust me, His blessings always look good on you!
