Sometimes we (myself included) give the wrong definition to blessings. We think a blessing is when a prayer is answered the way we want, or when something good happens to us. A blessing may evne be defined as getting out of something we didn’t want to do. Generally, when we think of the word, we think of it in association with positive feelings and good things happening. However, that is not always the case. I feel like in my life, sometimes I miss God’s blessings because I am looking for the wrong thing. Sometimes, it’s a blessing when a prayer is answered with a “no” or “not yet.” Sometimes, it’s a blessing when we DON’T get what we want. I try and think about it in a child-like way. If your kid asks if they can eat a big bowl of ice cream before bed and you tell them no, the kid is probably super disappointed, but it is really a blessing in disguise because you are saving them from a tummy ache and possibly being up all night not able to sleep.
Now, translate this to your life. We (or I, maybe you don’t) get frustrated and angry when I don’t get the answer I want, (or when I want it) to a prayer, or a situation. I have learned that sometimes I need to take a step back and evaluate the situation, because by not getting the answer I want when I want, God could really be saving me from disappointment, pain, or hurt. Even though right now I can’t see how that is possible, He can see everything and the trials I am going through could be a blessing in disguise.
One of my favorite songs that is out right now is by Laura Story, it’s called “Blessings.” Whenever I go through difficulties in my life, there always seems to be a song that I zero in on that helps me, and years later whenever I hear that song I am brought back to that time period or difficulty. This is “my song” right now, and it has gotten me through some tough days, and I just wanted to share it with you. Below I have posted the lyrics and also a link to an unofficial YouTube video where you can hear the song. I hope it encourages you with whatever you are going through right now. There may be a reason you are having to wait, or go through pain or disappointment. So don’t give up, keep on praying, and trust in His timing. Hopefully you will be able to look back on you situation one day and be thankful for the hard times and the mercies in disguise.
Video/song
“Blessings”
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It’s not our home
‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
QOTD: Have you ever gone through something in your life and looked back and saw that even though it was painful, you are so glad it happened?
This is a great message! I had two heartbreaking miscarriages back in 2010 – and while I may not really be glad that they happened, I now have a beautiful little one year old who would not be here. Thanks for this this morning 🙂
Yesy, yes, yes to your QOTD! Remind me to tell you something later re: blessings.
Oh yes. When I was laid off in 2010 I had no clue what to do. Ultimately, because I wasn’t tied to a job anymore, I was free to pack up and explore the world. Moved to Tokyo and never looked back!
One of my favorite posts by you! It’s absolutely true! It’s definitely hard to wait on His timing sometimes, but His timing is the right timing. Thanks for the reminder, Heather
What a great song! I think someone might have sung this in our church a while back.
Yes! Things are almost always worth the wait — we (meaning, I) just have to be patient!
Awesome post Heather! Yes I’ve definitely gone through times in my life where I wondered why it was happening and found out later the reason behind it. We have to trust in Him because He knows best. And I love that song too! It’s one of my favorites!
That song makes me tear up EVERY time I hear it… & I’ve heard is hundreds of times. Get me in the heart each time!
I have never heard that song before. It is beautiful and I have a feeling that I will be turning back to it when I’m feeling down and confused about different obstacles. Thank you so much for this post!
What a great post! It was a great reminder for me to let Him take the lead and He Will take me to where I should be not where I want to be. Life gets so busy sometimes that I forget. Thank you for the post and introducing me to the beautiful song.
Pretty Post!
If we always got what we wanted, the way we wanted it, we wouldn’t learn anything and worse yet, we wouldn’t appreciate those things when we got them.
I love this post. Thank you for it. I just posted on my blog this week about learning to be ok with being ok. I buried babies in 2007, 2010, and 2011. But I also have two girls that were already here before I had those babies. One of them can be very challenging. And if I had younger children I wouldn’t be able to devote the attention she sometimes needs to her. I have struggled with being ok with realizing that the circumstances, while heartbreaking, are really truly for the best. That God knew. I have focused on the why. Still don’t understand why we were promoted to have each of the babies if we weren’t going to get to keep them, why we felt inspired. But I also know I never will understand the why. So instead I’m realizing the blessings instead. It can be hard to shift our perspective. I would never ever say I’m glad it happened. But being able to see His wisdom is a blessing and comfort for sure.
This is so awesome!!!! And YES. My husband and I talk about this all the time. God has a funny way of saying no and not yet sometimes, but it’s important to have faith and remember…there is a reason!!!
Thank you for this post! Your positive outlook is so refreshing. I just try and remember that everything happens for a reason, be thankful for what I have, and that I would not be the person I am today without those blessings in disguise.
Great post 🙂 I had a pretty rough time getting diagnosed with my chronic condition, but I’m much stronger because of that ordeal, and I have my priorities straight!
A big fat yes to you QOTD. Still doesn’t make it easier the next time though!
When I was pregnant almost two years ago, we found out our baby had a serious birth defect that would require surgery and could possibly be accompanied with many complications/issues. The pregnancy itself was a surprise, so just as we were wrapping our brains around having a new baby suddenly, we also had to deal with this devastating news. But the journey taught me what it really, truly means to trust God and not in circumstances. Today our little man is thankfully totally healthy, but I know that if things had been different I would have still considered that journey an absolute blessing because of the precious gift he is and because of the precious gift God gave me of learning to trust.
This is such a beautiful song and this is a great post – love this message! It’s so true…we don’t always find what we are looking for, but there’s always a reason. His timing is perfect, even though its hard to wait, sometimes. Another song similar to this that I love is by Nichole Nordeman called “Gratitude”. Praying for you, friend!
What a great message. I’m going through something right now that is proving to be quite frustrating and yet deep down I know God has a plan for my life, and He is directing my path, even if I feel stuck. It is hard not to question and get frustrated, but so often you will look back and realize there was a purpose for what I went through and I am stronger for going through it. Thanks for posting this. It is such a good reminder.
I hear ya on being frustrated and stuck!
Great post, with a great perspective! I just drafted a post for tomorrow about the same thing, just a specific topic: planning for a bebe. It’s turning out to be a blessing in it’s own way…
While it can be frustrating in the moment, it’s encouraging to take a step back and look at all the true blessings in life and realize there is a greater plan for everything.
yes! GL with your post.
Beautiful post! God was very timely with directing me to read this today. Sometimes it’s so hard to wait and listen to His voice in the “silence,” but I’ve grown to know that God’s timing is always perfect.
Thank you! Yes it is so hard when you feel nothing is happening. I just hope I can look back one day and see it all!
I like how you state a blessing sometimes is not getting what we want. One door closes and another opens, maybe not what we really want at the time, but time will reveal the purpose. Thanks for being so candid.
You are welcome. I a still waiting on some new doors to open…lol!
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