BEFORE YOU COMPLAIN

The people complained against God and Moses... – Numbers 21:5 

Our prayer group provides financial assistance to 15 poor high school students. We meet them every month for worship, activities and to share a meal. On our first meeting for the year, I asked them to write down five blessings they received the previous year. They cried out in unison, “Ang dami naman!” (That’s too much!)  

I think, to a certain degree, our prayer group contributed to why they reacted that way. Our sharings last year revolved around a common theme. Their financial struggles or the sick member in the family. The subjects in school where they failed or struggled. Their bleak future after graduating from high school. 

Yes, these were prayer concerns, but we forgot to focus on the blessings. I smiled and told them, “Just try to recall last year and list down the good things you received, whether big or small blessings.” After 10 minutes, they listed more than 10 blessings. 

Our life will always have trials. But the blessings we receive from God will always outweigh them. The challenge is to recognize the trial but not dwell on it. God’s faithfulness is revealed when we count the blessings we receive. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2015-03-24