Why I Count Blessings (remembering His love)

Why is it so hard to walk in God’s love for us? Instead we give into fear and desperation. 

What believer (or even nonbeliever) hasn’t heard it … God loves you? We all have. It’s often the first thing you will hear or read when introduced to the world of Christianity.

Because it’s a core truth. God does love you!

The Problem

Yet, in the rush of daily activities or in the fog of a painful circumstance, it can be difficult to remember His love.

I easily forget…

I forget I am God’s beloved.

I forget His faithfulness.

I forget He redeems.

I forget I’m never alone.

I forget His plans are always and infinitely better than mine.

I know God loves me, but it’s not enough to read it in the Word. It’s not enough to tell myself it’s so.

For the truth of God's love to stand out in the hardest, most chaotic times of life, we need tangible reminders. Click To Tweet

The Answer

That’s the blessing of a gift list.

Because my memory often fails me, I need to be shown God’s love on a regular basis. Nothing is a more powerful reminder than keeping a physical record of His faithfulness.

It’s a call to remember … to come and see.

A gratitude list is a call to remember, to come and see... a tangible reminder of God's love. Click To Tweet

“Remember the wonderful works He has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:12 HCSB).

“Come and see the works of God,…” (Psalm 66:5 HCSB)

For the truth of His love to stand out in the hardest, most chaotic times of my life, I must have tangible reminders. 

A blessing list and prayer journal are both good options. I started recording in 2011. Now, my “One Thousand (or more) Gifts” list is nearing the 5,800 mark!

It’s a peace list, really. Without it, I’d be wallowing in anxiety and frustration. With it, I’m anchored by God’s love.

Oh, I may be rocked occasionally by a particularly strong or tenacious storm, but the reminders of the Lord’s faithfulness always steady me. I’ll never stop recording and remembering.

The Result

Some people call it paying it forward. I call it living out God’s love. Sharing what you’ve received with those you have contact with.

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 HCSB). Yes!

And out of that truth comes fruit! Because once we are made aware of the forever love God has for us, and remain aware of it, sharing it naturally follows.

God’s love is powerful. It changes lives!

So here’s a simple (but effective) three-step plan to see it in action in your life:

1. Recognize your need for a better perspective.
2. Start by keeping a running reminder of how much God cares for you. Call it a “Joy Dare” (coined by Ann Voskamp), a “Love List,” or a “Blessing Register.” It doesn’t matter. The point is to intentionally and daily give yourself tangible reminders of God’s love by recording at least 3 blessings a day. Don’t try to get away without writing them down! That’s the most powerful piece of this exercise.
3. Share with others the overflowing of God’s love. Make a phone call. Hold a hand. Pass on a smile. Offer a hug.

Let the love God has for you make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. Let it be multiplied by sharing it with another.

Recognize. Remember. Pour out on others. Even when your circumstances stink.

Let the love God has for you make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. It begins with remembering. Click To Tweet

It’s all possible, because God loves you! 

“Gratitude is like a flashlight. If you go out in your yard at night and turn on a flashlight, you suddenly can see what’s there. It was always there, but you couldn’t see it in the dark.”
–Dawna Markova

Reflections: Have you established a record of daily blessings? If not, what’s stopping you? If so, how are you recording them: running list, prayer journal, online, paper/pencil…? 

(Although I quit recording my three Joy Dare entries on my blog, you can catch them every evening on my Facebook page at JulieSunne1.)

By His grace ≈

Julie