3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
--New International Version, Matthew 5: 3 - 12.
The phrase "Count your blessings" has occured hundred times in any Christians songs, quotes, or status updates. The point to count the blessings is that so we can realize how many great things have we had in our life. It's a remembrance of many great things that happened in our life, as opposed to the not-so-great things that are currently happening in our life. I like to think that it keeps us from feeling helpless and depressed if we choose to remember great things instead of the worse ones.
In the Bible, there is one particular sermon from Jesus about our blessed lives that we call The Beatitudes. The beatitudes consists of 8 unfortunate situations we might be in at one point in our life, and why we are supposed to feel blessed in these unfortunate situations. The rewards are not something physical, but rather a psychological release, a form of peace in our mind. The blessings are none other than a place in Kingdom of Heaven, the greatest reward there is.
The blessings are for the one in these conditions:
1. People who are poor in spirit, meaning the one that humbly acknowledging the need of Divine Power or God even though he might not be poor financially.
2. People who mourn, meaning the one in miseries because of all evil things that occurs around the world.
3. People who are meek, meaning the one that humbly bend down before God and other people.
4. People who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, meaning the one that has a desire to live religiously and morally correct by following God's and human law.
5. People who are merciful, meaning the one with the ability to forgive, forget, even pray for others who have done wrong to them.
6. People who has a pure heart, meaning the one who has sincere and good intentions toward others without any hidden meaning.
7. People who are peacemakers, meaning the one that live in peace with others and also preserve the peace and friendship among mankind and God.
8. People who are persecuted because of righteousness, meaning the one that suffers from injustice because of righteousness.
(source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm)
These verses certainly set a different point of view from a normal human being. There is a saying, "When given a choice, people always assume the worst." It sounds so hopeless with hints of desperate ambiance to our lives. These verses, however, push people see the best in every worst opportunity by saying that you will be given great rewards when you are able to overcome the worst situation. It makes our problems worth bearing, because the worst it gets the bigger the rewards we'll receive. I think by following these teaching, we will become stronger and better person.
In the Bible, there is one particular sermon from Jesus about our blessed lives that we call The Beatitudes. The beatitudes consists of 8 unfortunate situations we might be in at one point in our life, and why we are supposed to feel blessed in these unfortunate situations. The rewards are not something physical, but rather a psychological release, a form of peace in our mind. The blessings are none other than a place in Kingdom of Heaven, the greatest reward there is.
The blessings are for the one in these conditions:
1. People who are poor in spirit, meaning the one that humbly acknowledging the need of Divine Power or God even though he might not be poor financially.
2. People who mourn, meaning the one in miseries because of all evil things that occurs around the world.
3. People who are meek, meaning the one that humbly bend down before God and other people.
4. People who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, meaning the one that has a desire to live religiously and morally correct by following God's and human law.
5. People who are merciful, meaning the one with the ability to forgive, forget, even pray for others who have done wrong to them.
6. People who has a pure heart, meaning the one who has sincere and good intentions toward others without any hidden meaning.
7. People who are peacemakers, meaning the one that live in peace with others and also preserve the peace and friendship among mankind and God.
8. People who are persecuted because of righteousness, meaning the one that suffers from injustice because of righteousness.
(source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm)
These verses certainly set a different point of view from a normal human being. There is a saying, "When given a choice, people always assume the worst." It sounds so hopeless with hints of desperate ambiance to our lives. These verses, however, push people see the best in every worst opportunity by saying that you will be given great rewards when you are able to overcome the worst situation. It makes our problems worth bearing, because the worst it gets the bigger the rewards we'll receive. I think by following these teaching, we will become stronger and better person.
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