It’s easy to say, “I’m blessed.” We say it when things are going well—when life feels stable, our needs are met, and we’re surrounded by people we love. But do you ever stop and think about how blessed you really are? Do you recognize how quickly life can change?
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, but He also issues a warning—the “woes.” These aren’t meant to be negative statements but, rather, wake-up calls. When Jesus says, “Woe to you,” He is really saying, “Watch out!” He’s reminding us that the things we may take for granted, like wealth, comfort, or popularity, can disappear in an instant.
If you base your sense of blessing only on what you have, what happens when those things are gone? In addition, focusing only on your struggles risks missing the bigger picture—God’s presence and the deeper blessings that don’t fade away.
The Beatitudes challenge us to see blessings differently. Blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping—not because suffering is good, but because God is present in it. Being truly blessed isn’t about having a perfect life; it’s about knowing that God is constant, no matter what happens. He is our source of joy, peace, and strength, even when life gets hard.
So, how can you focus on your blessings instead of your struggles? Maybe it’s by shifting your perspective to see what you have—not what you lack. Perhaps it’s by finding gratitude, even in the challenges. Still, maybe it’s by remembering that no matter what changes, God never does.
This week, take a moment to pause, notice the blessings in your life, and trust that God is walking with you in everything.
