Blessed

Have you been told that you are blessed? Did you really understand what that meant? Often, when someone is considered blessed it is because of the things they have or the success that they have achieved but that would minimize the full understanding of “being blessed” if it were relegated to just success and prosperity.Mary the mother of Jesus was called blessed yet she was pregnant and unmarried (Luke 1:42). It wasn’t her condition or circumstances that she was considered blessed but that God saw in her the inherent qualities that represented the person whom should bring His Son into the world. Being blessed can mean many things, which Jesus expressed in the Beatitudes found in the book of Matthew chapter 5:3-10. He said:Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.You might agree that whom Jesus referred to as “blessed” in common language would appear more like sadness, disappointment, heartache and pain.Being blessed is not the absence of trials or pain, being blessed is living in the grace that God extends to all. If you have accepted that grace, then you too are blessed!