There are problems everywhere. But there aren’t ONLY problems. There are blessings too. They are gifts from God.

To notice you may need to give yourself permission to smile and to enjoy life a little more often.

Life can be hard. There are serious issues in the world. Because of this, we can focus (almost exclusively) on what is wrong and bad rather than what is also right and good.

When it comes to our faith we can be equally doom-and-gloomish. We can zero-in exclusively on how the Devil is having a heyday or the darkness of the world. Fair enough. We need to have our eyes open.

But there is a bigger picture at play, and one that our heavenly Father also wants his children to see.

Consider Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Or Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Why do you think Paul said it twice? Because they needed the reminder.

And so do we.

God blesses his people. He does so even in the midst of life’s hardships and darkness. 

To notice you may need to give yourself permission to smile and to enjoy life a little more often.

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Notes:

–Sermon: “Encased in Grace (The Art of Noticing).” November 19, 2023. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.