I have two lists. One is a list of problems and issues that I need to fix. The other list contains all the good things in my life.
The good things list is much longer than the problems list. However, it is the problems list that gets most of my attention. As I listen to people, it is obvious that they are concentrated on their problems list too.
Contrary to what we are often told, listing your blessings is not going to change your focus. Even the most depressed person can list the things that should bring them joy. The list is obvious. If we want to change our perspective, we need to add another, often missing, element.
Most of our problems come with a feeling. We are scared, worried, angry or nervous and those feelings make the problems seem much bigger and much more real. It’s the feeling that grabs our attention. Therefore, if we would like a different perspective, we need to learn to do the same thing with our thankfulness list. Instead of just making the list, we need to feel those blessings.
That is exactly the point of Psalm 136. This psalm does not teach anything new. It simply goes over the history of God’s people, highlighting some very well-known facts. However, after each one of them, the worshippers are encouraged to say, “His love endures forever!” Twenty-six times in twenty-six verses they repeat that phrase so that they begin to feel the blessing of God’s care and his goodness.
In Philippians 4 Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, rejoice!” (Verse 4). He then tells them to meditate on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (verses 8-9). Rejoice is a feeling word.
They need to think about the right things, but they must also feel that list. They need to let the good sink in. A heart-level change is required.
Making a list of blessings is good.
Feeling that list is essential.
