Ever felt like life is throwing you around like a leaf in a storm? On those days when you’re “tempest-tossed,” it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come and all the ways you’ve been lifted along the way. That’s where the old school wisdom of “counting your blessings” comes in. It’s more than just positive thinking—it’s grounding yourself in gratitude, even when the world seems upside down.
The hymn “Count Your Blessings” says it beautifully: “When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost…” we’re invited to pause, reflect, and “count [our] blessings, name them one by one.” What’s remarkable is how this simple exercise can transform discouragement into hope, grounding us in a God who is unchanging, present, and faithful. n moments of frustration or comparison, it’s natural to feel like we’re falling short.
Maybe someone else seems to have the “lands and gold”, while we feel like we’re just scraping by. But the hymn reminds us: God’s blessings often aren’t measured in material wealth. They’re measured in the quiet but powerful ways He’s shown up —providing when we didn’t know how, comforting when our hearts were heavy, giving us strength for the journey even when we felt weak.
Take a moment. Grab a pen and actually list them out: that friend who checked in just when you needed it, that unexpected opportunity, that inner peace that helped you through a rough day. Count them, name them, one by one, and watch how gratitude changes the way you see the world.
So, amid any struggle—whether small or overwhelming—let this hymn be a reminder that you’re not alone. God’s been there before, and He’ll be there again. As you count your blessings, you’ll find hope for today and confidence for tomorrow. Because, yes, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
