“WE ARE TOO PRONE TO ENGRAVE OUR TRIALS IN MARBLE AND WRITE OUR BLESSINGS IN SAND”
CHARLES SPURGEON
We often take blessings for granted, especially the everyday or small ones we might not even realise are blessings. The air we breathe, the food in our cupboards, the car we drive, the people in our lives, a bed to sleep in, warm homes in winter, flowers that delight us with their beauty. We could go on.
But what of trials? Financial worry, breakdown in relationships, the loss of a loved one, health problems, caring for aged parents, an accident that haunts you everyday. Trials can be giants.
Is it no wonder we “engrave our trials in marble and ‘write’ our blessings in the sand”. When we are faced with things that are hard, painful, raw, life changing, that are hurtful and difficult, we cannot easily let them go.
Once the waves wash over the words on the sand they will be no more, but our trials aren’t like that. Many of the trials we face will last a lifetime. Yes, they may change over time, become less painful, but nevertheless, remain, as though engraved in marble.
If we’re truly honest, we tend to focus on the trials rather than the blessings.
Allow me to change the words of Spurgeon for a moment. “Even though our trials may be engraved in marble, may we also engrave the blessings”.
As we look back on our lives may we remember the blessings that have come our way. As we remember yesterday may we take a moment to think on the blessings that came across our path. The folk we saw, the opportunity to give someone a hug, a word of encouragement given and received, sunshine on a cold winters day, children laughing.
We all face difficulties and challenges that may never truly go on this side of eternity, but there are also many blessings that will accompany those seasons. Thank God for those.
Let’s not allow the blessings to be here today and gone tomorrow. In the words of an old christian song, Count your blessings one by one, come and see what God has done.
“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 hath done.”
“Count your blessings, name them one by one;Count your blessings, see what God hath done;Count your blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord hath 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 be singing as the days go by.”
“Count your blessings…”
“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 buyYour reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.”
"Count your blessings…”
“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.”
“Count your blessings…”
Trials and blessings go hand in hand in this life. Look at the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
Yes, our trials may be engraved in marble but we can, with God’s help, take courage, take heart and also look at the many blessings He puts before us.
In the midst of hardship, let us not be like the children of Israel,
“They forgot God, their Saviour, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.” Psalm 106:21-22
Trials can sometimes be blessings in disguise. For many of us, we may not feel that way right now, but God is always working in the good and the bad.
Prayer - Dear Lord, in the midst of deep suffering may we never forget the blessings that also come our way. We know that in this life, blessings and trials go hand in hand. We thank You today for Your mercies and Your grace. Help us to see Your hand in the small things that we often take for granted and thank You for them. May we engrave the blessings in marble today.
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