Most people might consider suffering and hardship NOT as a blessing but better suited to the curse category as in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 or Jeremiah 17:7. God did bless the children of Israel that was tied to their trust in Him, but it did not always mean life without difficulty. See the link to the piece at the end of this blog. She says, “Put simply the prosperity gospel is the belief that God grants health and wealth to those with the right kind of faith.” Continuing in this article she discusses the irony of her recent diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer and subsequently offers poignant thought provoking questions about God and God’s blessings and how we relate to Him.

Kate Bowler, author of the book Blessed in her Sunday Review in a New York Times op ed piece discusses her research as a historian of the American prosperity gospel. In the New Testament use of blessed, makarios, it generally has a strong spiritual content as seen in Matthew 5 in the Beatitudes- plus the idea of happy, fortunate, to be envied, congratulated.ĭr. It was tied to God leading the children of Israel forward and taking refuge in the Lord.Ĭonsider Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord…for you are their glory and strength…indeed our shield belongs to the Lord.” When used of man it connotes favor, happiness, living according to God’s ways of approval. Or has it become the hallmark word for a certain kind of theology that says God owes us? “I’m blessed.”įrom the scriptures the most frequent Old Testament word used for blessed, baruk, when applied to God, has the sense of praise – “Blessed be the Lord”. Does what we say reflect a biblical view of the use of the word? Are we consciously offering to God our deep gratefulness and dependency on Him for our very sustenance? He IS so worthy of our worship.

What do I mean? What is being said when these words are offered?Īre we being too casual with the real meaning of offering a blessing? Yet, we may truly want that person to experience the blessing of God. “Many blessings to you” are the words I often use to close a letter or an email or a text. From the next aisle behind the shelf a woman’s voice said, “Bless you!” At every meal we ask – “the blessing”.

Recently, while shopping in a store I sneezed.

Blessed by Kate Bowler