Count Your Blessings

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.
Philippians 1:3-4

I grew up with a lot of classic Christian hymns. One of those was “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman.

Count your blessings;
name them one by one,
and it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done.

I remember one day when I was a senior in high school, I was feeling kind of blue, and the words to that song gave me the idea to literally try and name my blessings, one by one. I got out a sheet of paper and started listing. It was a very long list, and though there were many physical items on there, mostly it was full of people’s names. Just writing the list became an expression of thankfulness.

Another long list you can turn into a prayer is your church directory. Flip through it and pray for each individual by name. If long on names and short on time, pray through it day by day a few at at time until you’re done.

In recent years I have made many prayer lists. But to list everything I’m thankful for is a rather daunting task. So now I think in terms of categories of blessings and then focus on one or two of those at a time. I’ll tell you my categories of thanksgiving, and then if you can think of anything to be thankful for that doesn’t fall under at least one of these headings, please leave a comment. I don’t want to leave anything out!

Bodily Well-Being (health, healing of the sick, protection)
Earthly Comforts (financial blessings, modern conveniences)
Nature/Beauty
Abilities/Opportunities
People/Relationships
Spiritual Blessings

When I look at these groupings, I understand that there can be some crossover. And any one category could take all day to cover completely. Furthermore my memory isn’t anywhere close to capable of remembering all the sick that have been healed or all the good experiences I have enjoyed. But to try listing (or even remembering) every person I’ve known in my life who has encouraged me in some way– that is overwhelming to say the least. It’s very humbling to think of all the people in my life, past and present, for whom I’m thankful. (Please know that you, dear reader, are very much appreciated!)

I wish I had started a gratitude journal when I was young, a book where I could write down blessings and answered prayers. What an extensive list that would be by now! If you are young, why not start keeping such a list? For that matter, I suppose if I started now, I could still have a long list in no time!

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by

Oftentimes it is the hardships that we remember— those tragic moments that really change the course of our lives. That’s understandable. But if we practice daily gratitude for all the little non-life-changing things, it sends us in a certain direction that can be life-changing. Failing to notice and appreciate the small things will send us in another direction. And I’m not just talking about the direction of heaven or hell, though ultimately I suppose that applies. I’m saying that consistently choosing gratitude will send us in a positive direction that leads away from sadness and toward even more gratitude. “It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the LORD,” (Psalm 92:1a AMP).

The list of blessings I made in high school contained more names than anything. Which category would contain the most items for you? Our list of spiritual blessings might be fewer in number– somehow they’re more difficult to enumerate; and yet they are the most profound and the most important blessings.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Have you counted your blessings lately? It just might “surprise you what the Lord hath done!”

Dear God,
It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to You, LORD! I thank You for the health and protection You provide, as well as for the healing of the sick. I thank You for Your great provision for my physical needs, for all financial blessings and all modern conveniences. I thank You for everything that is beautiful, and for the ability to appreciate and enjoy those things. I thank You for my talents and my opportunities. I thank You for all the people in my life and for the various relationships I have with them, for the way those relationships sustain me as well as challenge me. Most of all I thank You for forgiving my sins and for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ.
In His holy name, Amen.

BONUS: Do you dread that awkward go-around-the-table-and-tell-what-you’re-thankful-for moment during Thanksgiving dinner? I found a neat variation on that, which I’ve linked below. You could also pass a similar sheet around as people arrive, asking each family member to write down something they’re thankful for. Then get a volunteer to read the list at the appropriate time. The introverts in the family will thank you! 😌

Count Your Blessings Free Printable