Have you ever heard the song, “Count Your Blessings?”
It goes like this:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
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 [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
This song was published in 1897 by Johnson Oatman Jr. It is as relevant today as it was over 120 years ago.
Gipsy Smith, a famous evangelist of yesteryear, said of the song, “Men sing it, boys whistle it and women rock their babies to sleep to it.”
Read more about the story behind the song here.
Photo Courtesy of FeeLoona on Pixabay
Gratitude Changes the Brain
A grateful brain can make you healthier and happier, according to this article in Psychology Today. An important point to realize is that gratitude is not comparing yourself with someone less fortunate. In order to actually become grateful, you must move a step beyond that and appreciate fully your own blessings.
To begin, write daily in a journal everything you are grateful for. I begin my day writing in my journal, which opens up the possibilities of all the good that God has for me.
In addition, studies from this article share that the brain can only focus so much. Focus on the negative pushes the positive away. The question to ask yourself is, “How do I want to feel this day?”
Gratitude for your many blessings is a skill like any other. You have to practice, practice, practice. In due time, it will come naturally—like breathing or sleeping.
Life is Full of Miracles
In conclusion, life can be mundane at times, but also be full of miracles, as I wrote about here. Journal all the wonderful things in your life that seemed to appear out of the blue when God was taking care of you. Count your blessings, name them one by one!
Leave a comment below and describe your greatest blessings. I love to hear from you!
Penelope Silvers is a freelance writer, author,
and radio host of Penelope’s Book Chat on Blog
Talk Radio. She lives simply and sanely on Florida’s
beautiful nature coast.
I love this hymn! You’re absolutely right — gratitude can shift your whole mindset and mood for the day. It’s a habit I’m always trying to build (and usually forgetting, despite my best efforts!), thank you so much for the encouraging words today! 🙂 #heartandsoullinkup
You are most welcome, Shannon! I need to go back and read this myself today. Sometimes it’s so easy to forget when you’re feeling a little down or tired. Appreciate you stopping by and commenting. 🙂
I really love this. And I love the hymn!! I started humming the tune in my head while reading the lyrics. 🙂 I love that you pointed out that gratitude changes the brain. I have a gratitude journal that I use off and on, and it’s a good exercise for me to make myself think of something to be grateful for after a trying day. Thanks for sharing on #heartandsoullinkup
I also love that hymn, Jennifer. It’s the simple ones that get to running in our heads, isn’t it? But a good one to remember. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
My children are definitely my greatest blessings! We have been working with them every day to count their blessings each night before they go to bed. They come up with the most profound things sometimes, and we know that their hearts are full of genuine gratitude for the many blessings they have. #heartandsoullinkup
Aw…Flossie, this made me smile. I can just picture your little ones being tucked into bed at night counting their blessings on their tiny hands. Thanks for stopping by and sharing the joy. 🙂
Love this!! Yes, I agree that when you take time and survey what you have and count your Blessings, everything else falls into perspective!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! In about 10 years, we plan on moving into a maintenance free apartment once we sell our home…..
Hugs,
Debbie
That’s awesome, Debbie! Isn’t it ironic how we spend all our early years buying stuff, only to spend our later ones getting rid of it? Great to see you here. 🙂
At this time in 2020 when the world is upside down and people complain far more than they are grateful, we need this kind of message more than ever. Thank you Penelope.
Hope you keep blogging!!!
Thank you for your kind words, Helene! I pray that you are safe in your part of the world. 🙂