COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

The end of Tradition 12 in the Big Book of AA sums up an important principle in our recovery: We need to regularly count our blessings.

We are actually to practice a genuine humility.  This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.  (Big Book of AA)

The Bible also gives us many wonderful words on which to focus our thoughts as we do this. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

God speaks blessings of protection, peace, and tenderness over us each day.  Will we choose to believe God’s Words and fill our minds with His thoughts or let negative thinking and feelings rule over us?

God offers us the blessing of forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment for every sin we have ever committed and for those we are not even aware of.  We are blessed today with a clear conscience as we confess our wrongs to God and let Him remove our sin from us. 

Blessed is the person whose lawless acts are forgiven. Their sins have been taken away. Blessed is the person whose sin the Lord never counts against them. (Psalm 3:1-2a NIRV)

Let’s make it a habit to count our blessings each day as the founders of AA suggest.  As we do that, we will become more aware of the grace of God poured out on us and our hearts will be filled with the joy of knowing that God truly is ever with us.  

Prayer:  Loving God, I am grateful for the gifts I receive each day.  Give me the desire to accept all that You are offering me and the humility to remember that everything I have and all that I am is because of Your great love for me.  I acknowledge the truth that life without You is meaningless and unmanageable.  Thank You for Your amazing grace poured out on me. Amen