God Is Blessing

These days it seems one cannot speak or breathe without offending someone, and public figures are held to the highest scrutiny.  The Australian prime minister recently said something that drew the ire of recent Australians of the year and others when in conversation he said, "Jenny and I have been blessed, we've got two children that don't — that haven't had to go through that...And so, for parents with children who are disabled, I can only try and understand your aspirations for those children."  When Scott Morrison realised how his comments were offensive to many, he promptly apologised--and rightly so.

We cannot help how others interpret what we say and what we mean.  I do not believe the Australian Prime Minister meant in the slightest what people took him as meaning, that by saying he was blessed to have children without disabilities people who have them are cursed.  As a believer I am sure Mr. Morrison was saying he was blessed to have children whether they had disabilities or not.  Even if he had no children, our Prime Minister could rightly say he was blessed to be childless, for we are fully and most blessed in God alone.  It is on this point those who do not know God find themselves in the dark.  They have not tasted and seen that God is good and how His greatest blessings can take forms we never imagined they could.  It is faith in our good God that completely transforms the human perspective and sees blessing everywhere.

It is faith in the unwavering good God that provides understanding and gratitude toward God even in difficulties.  Consider the lyrics of Brenton Brown's song Our God is Mercy: "Our God is mercy, our God is mercy, if your heart is heavy, if your soul is thirsty; there is a refuge, a home for the lonely 'cause our God is near...you're blessed if you've been torn apart, you're blessed if you've a broken heart for hope is waiting at the door. Salvation's near."  No one likes the feelings of a heavy heart or thirsty soul; certainly no one enjoys feeling lonely, being torn apart or having a broken heart.  Surely these painful descriptions seem or feel much more a curse than a blessing!  Those who are God's redeemed have the capacity to continually bless His holy name because He is ever blessing us.

The reality of a good God Who demonstrates His love, is in Himself a refuge for us and is a Redeemer.  We can't understand the pain, sorrow or trials others have faced, and we cannot fully comprehend our own feelings at times.  But the immutable truth remains that God is good and He is a blessing to all who trust in Him.  His goodness, grace and mercy is complete and continual, and it is in realising our need we find an enduring hope and help in Him throughout all seasons of life.  God allows challenges, struggles, disappointments, dashed expectations and difficult conditions so we might rely upon Him more and discover comfort, rest and peace we never imagined possible when all seemed well.  What some people see as a curse can be redeemed as greatest blessing when we look to God in faith.