An Honest Evaluation

Life is often upsetting. Things do not go as planned. However, if I am honest, if I evaluate my life honestly, then I must admit that I have lived a blessed life. I believe if you would honestly count your blessings you would find that your life is truly blessed, regardless of your circumstances.
Believers often make the mistake of evaluating their circumstances in the same way as unbelievers. We point to our bank account, our home, or automobiles, and say "God has blessed me." We also may lift up family, especially those that are walking with the Lord, as evidence that God has blessed. However, I would say that the Scripture looks at life differently. It does not deny the blessings given above, but puts it all in proper perspective.
Take a moment and read through chapter one of Ephesians. Focus on verses 3-14. What are those spiritual blessings spoken of in verse 3? Well, you were chosen, predestined, and adopted. God has lavished on you His grace, His forgiveness, and His wisdom. On and on it goes until the verses conclude with this thought, "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." Wow, how we are truly blessed!
In many respects my life is not how I planned it. Much of it has fallen short of my goals and expectations. But the blessings of God found in Ephesians far exceeds anything I could have planned. I think I will sit down with Ephesians and count my blessings all over again and name them one by one.
-Mark