Measured Blessings
This post was originally written in 2014. I’ve chosen to keep it largely as it was, as a reflection of where my heart and faith were in that season.
A while back, a conversation started circulating about the words Christians use—specifically around the word blessed. I found myself having an unexpected reaction to the idea that we should stop using it or replace it with something else.
For me, the word blessed carries weight.
It’s a Christian word. It’s a spiritual word. It’s a biblical word. And I agree with the idea that our culture has flattened its meaning. When you have a personal relationship with God and understand His character, the word blessed goes much deeper than surface-level gratitude.
Blessings, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional, are a reflection of God’s goodness and love. They are not prizes or rewards for our behavior. We cannot measure spiritual depth by material gain, nor can we measure obedience to God by comfort or ease.
In Scripture, the word bless holds rich meaning. The Hebrew word barak means “to praise” or “to salute,” while esher is often translated as “happiness.” In Greek, the word makarios means “happiness” or “bliss.” We’re talking about more than semantics here. Blessing cannot be reduced to a single definition or measured by one attribute.
I think it becomes problematic when we compare our lives to the lives of others in order to define what blessing looks like. My story is my story. I was not born into every circumstance, and that doesn’t mean God loves me more or less than anyone else. Comparing what one person has to what another lacks is an unfair way to evaluate God’s goodness. We cannot measure His love by possessions or circumstances.
When my husband was in law school, we were newlyweds learning how to navigate life together. I can’t say I was especially obedient or spiritually aware during that season. I worked as many hours as I could at a department store while the love of my life spent long days with his face buried in massive law books. Like Old Mother Hubbard, our cupboards were bare for a few years. More times than I can count, we searched the floor of our car for spare change so we could buy burritos at Taco Bell.
Looking back now, I can see so clearly how God was pouring out His love and protection over us during those years. Unexpected checks would arrive that covered rent. We’d sell something just in time to buy books. At the time, I didn’t feel blessed— but that didn’t mean blessings weren’t present.
I am grateful for so many things in my life. And I also know that I am blessed by God. He provides food, shelter, clothing, friendship, health, finances, and protection, not because of my obedience, but because He is generous and loving. And when material things feel scarce, He is still present, offering comfort, mercy, and love.
He wants us to know His blessings regardless of our circumstances.
I’m not here to tell you what words you should or shouldn’t use to describe the good in your life. Gratitude matters. Awareness matters. Whether you believe in God or not, He believes in you. We are surrounded by blessings, and often the invitation is simply to recognize where (or Who) they come from.
