You did not misread the title. Before I tell you what an unhappy blessing, I want to brag on a couple of the young ladies in my youth group. They led us in bible study during last night’s youth meeting and their subject was “Blessings.” They talked about the things that they were thankful to God for and the reasons that they saw these events, moments and situations as blessings. The other members participated and it was interesting to hear what they had to say.
They then turned the conversation to those events, moments and situations that do not feel like blessings when they are happening, but because of them we are drawn closer to God. They talked about how they struggled with what to call this and finally settled on the phrase “unhappy blessing.” I have to tell you, I like it. It truly is a contradiction in terms and yet it is such a fitting way to describe those circumstances in our lives where we do not want to deal with what is happening, but God somehow finds a way of making it work for our good.
They also shared a song from Laura Story called “Blessings.” In it we find this idea wonderfully illustrated. The chorus has these amazingly simple and powerful phrases.
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
This kind of thinking requires a significant shift in the way that we see what happens around us and too us. I am grateful to have been a part of that moment.
Just think about how often we are encouraged to consider looking at everything in a positive light. What is interesting about life is that many times, it is only because of the darkness that we are able to see how bright the light truly is.
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