“Bless” is a familiar word in church culture and narcissistic hashtags. But the reality of blessing is rarely used in everyday life. I think the lack of intentional blessing is one of the biggest reasons so many people, cities, and nations are such a mess.
We neglect, or even refuse, to honor our spouses when we feel they’re not meeting our needs. We expect our children to obey and succeed before rewarding them with conditional approval. Instead of speaking life into people, we focus on the things we don’t like until we can dehumanize them.
Where there’s a lack of blessing, something else will fill the void—pain, resentment, hate, and fears of rejection, failure, and loss. But, even when there’s been damage, genuine, loving blessing can transform fear and hate into grace and glory.
Blessing recognizes, declares, encourages, resources, and empowers others in the identity for which God created them. Purposefully blessing encourages with faith, equips with hope, and empowers with love. Blessing speaks life, joy, peace, healing, abundance, and wisdom, both now and in generations to come.
You are loved. You are appreciated. You are celebrated by your heavenly Father. Nothing that’s happened to you is stronger than the love he has for you. He loves turning places of pain and trouble into gateways of hope and blessings. Go through a gate today by seeing yourself as he does: free, whole, brilliant, and powerful. Then become a blessing to others by living that way.
“The Lord will bless you and keep you. He will illuminate himself to you, and be so gracious to you. The Lord will see you face to face, and give you peace and wholeness” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Equip Your Spirit 