06 Oct Recalling Our Past Blessings From God
In my current series of articles, I am sharing some of the lessons God has been teaching me in recent years. One of the most profound lessons I have learned after more than fifty years as a Christian is to continually look back and recall the amazing blessings God has given me in all my years as His son. When we look back on God’s provisions in the past, we recall His faithfulness and kindness, and those memories increase our joy and faith in the midst of our current trials!
In Psalm 103, David prays about all of God’s blessings, and he reminds himself not to forget all God has already done for him:
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
(Psalm 103:1–5, emphasis added)
I like to use David’s psalm as a pattern for my own prayers, and it has brought me so much joy, peace, confidence, and faith! As I pray through these words, I pause to think about the blessings God has given me over the years. I don’t just recall them as I pray, but in my times alone with God I write them down in my notes. I then read those notes over in the days to come, and every time I read them, they once again build my faith and bring me joy. Recalling and thanking God for his blessings, answered prayers, and guidance in my life is one of the most important things I have ever learned.
On one occasion, the disciples of Jesus forgot to bring bread, and they grew frustrated and upset about it. Here is how Jesus helped them to overcome their anxiety:
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8:17–21)
When His disciples were feeling anxious, Jesus simply reminded them of how He had already provided for them in the past. This is how Jesus wants all of us to overcome our anxiety: to remember not only what He accomplished in His days here on earth, but also what He has done in our lives.
When we recall His amazing blessings in our past, we are reminded of His goodness and reassured that He will bless and care for us today—and in all our days to come. As we see in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” As He has cared for us in the past, so He will care for us in the future. Brothers and sisters, as you look back and thank God for His many blessings in your past, I pray that you find encouragement, hope, and joy for your future.
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