On Good Things

HERE’S AN ODD PHENOMENON I’ve noticed about the blessings in my life. I’ve been given so many good things, but for some reason I have trouble enjoying them. You’d think my natural reaction would be to feel grateful and celebrate these gifts, but all too often I end up feeling guilty for the good things—like I can’t enjoy them since I don’t deserve them.

When we see people suffering in circumstances we can’t even fathom, it’s natural to want to scrub away the good in our own lives or, at the very least, downplay it. So we tally up reasons why our lives are hard in an attempt to balance the scales somehow. We want to escape the survivor guilt. But this isn’t what God intended. Yes, he wants us to empathize with the struggles other people are going through (Romans 12:15), but he also wants us to enjoy the gifts he so generously gives us (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).

So if life is good right now, ditch the thought that you don’t deserve it. That’s the world trying to twist God’s good gifts into something ugly. No, you don’t deserve these good things. But none of us deserve any good thing. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV). Everything we have is a gift from a mind-blowingly generous God. Instead of rationalizing why it’s not that good so we don’t feel bad about having it, we can point others to the gift giver by trying something wild: we can stop feeling guilty and, with a grateful heart, just enjoy it.

Momma, why is this so revolutionary? Maybe it seems too laid back while we’re over here trying to take life seriously. Or maybe we’re so busy analyzing things that enjoying the good days doesn’t even occur to us.

If you’re anything like me, you feel like you’re most “useful” to others when you’re going through something challenging. You figure you can illuminate Christ only when you are in the valley. Surely the most enticing and impactful stories are the ones full of trials, right?

You might have friends all around you who are suffering while everything is going pretty well for you at the moment. But feeling guilty won’t add anything to their lives. Obviously, we don’t want to throw our gifts in their faces, but our complaining in an attempt to even the scales and not come off as “luckier” than they are might actually make things harder for them.

Oh friend, let’s allow every good thing in our lives to point to Christ instead of downplaying the gifts and assuming that trials are the only way to glorify him.

If life is good today and you’re feeling guilty about it, stop right now and enjoy the gifts God has given you. Don’t get bogged down by feeling unworthy. After all, it’s that very unworthiness that speaks to God’s incredible love for us! When we show gratitude to God for the good things he has given us, he gets all the glory. Our inability to earn these gifts means we can’t attribute them to something we did. It’s all him!

Most people know of a God who disciplines and judges, but let’s fill them in on the gracious character of our God and not hide the good or discount it. Isaiah 30:18 says, “The LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (NIV). I melt when I read this. The Lord longs to be gracious to us.

I want my response to every gracious act to be gratitude, not downplaying or discounting what God has done. I want my gratitude to well up celebration and praise inside me. Isn’t it gracious of the heavenly Father to offer such good gifts to his kids?

ACTION STEP

Write out the good things in your life right now—including the things that feel almost too easy. Find a way to share your gratitude with others in a way that brings hope and points them to Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, forgive me for questioning the good gifts you’ve given me. I want so desperately to enjoy them, but my thoughts tell me I don’t deserve them and then guilt takes over. Free me from the guilt, and help me to enjoy every good gift that comes from you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MORNING QUESTIONS

TAKEAWAY TODAY | What are some of the good gifts in your life right now?

When have you found yourself downplaying or feeling guilty about the good things in your life?

DREADING TODAY | Is there anything you’re dreading today?

REDEFINING TODAY | If so, what is another way you can view that thing you’re dreading?

ASKING GOD TODAY | What request are you bringing before the Lord today?

EVENING QUESTIONS

REFLECTION | Were there any moments today when you were able to share your gratitude with someone else?

LITTLE VICTORIES | Where did you see God show up even in small ways, reminding you that you aren’t alone?

WHITE FLAG MOMENTS | When did you want to hide or escape today?

MEMORY OF THE DAY | What do you want to relish and thank God for?