Each of us has been blessed by God in one way or another. We all have things in our lives that are good.  The challenge is that we tend to squander the good things that God has given us.

Let me give you an example. How many people do you know who are unhealthy, not because of illness, but because of bad lifestyle choices?  They either eat too much, or they abuse alcohol or drugs.  God gave them a healthy body.  But instead of treating that body as a blessing, they misuse it.  They don’t appreciate the body God has given them.

How many married people do you know who don’t appreciate their spouses? God has blessed them with a kind and caring individual to share their life with.  But instead of treating that person as valuable, they focus on all the ways they would like that person to change.

Sometimes God blesses us, and initially we are quite happy. Then we forget that we’ve been blessed.  For example, before my husband and I got married, we lived on opposite sides of the country.  I missed him terribly when we were apart.  I used to think, “If only we could be together all the time.”  Then my husband proposed, and I was blessed with the opportunity to spend my life with him.  Now my husband and I are together fulltime.  However, I sometimes get irritated with him for silly reasons.  I then have to take a step back and remember how lucky I am to be with him every day.  I have to remind myself that God has blessed me with a wonderful husband.

Significantly, it isn’t enough to simply know that we are blessed. In order to fully appreciate our blessings, we need to make the most of them.  We need to capitalize on what we’ve been given.

For instance, you may not live in a mansion. But if you have a roof over your head, then you are blessed.  So, take care of where you live.  Make it as beautiful as possible.  If God has blessed you with a home, then do as much as you can to transform it into something that is peaceful to the mind and inviting to the eyes.

Perhaps you don’t have the perfect body. Well, here’s a news flash.  No one does.  Nevertheless, make the most of the body that you’ve been given.  Take care of it.  Eat healthy food and exercise.  Wear clothing that is flattering to your figure.  When we care for our appearance and our health, we show God our appreciation for the body he has given us.

Similarly, you currently may not have the ideal job. However, show God that you are grateful for giving you the opportunity to earn a living.  Give your job your best effort.  Have a good attitude.  And if you are in a job which doesn’t suit your abilities, then look for something else.  God has blessed you with skills and talents for a reason.  To be used!  So if you aren’t in the right job, don’t stay and be unhappy.  Be brave and look for something that is right for you.  And in the meantime, make the most of your current job by learning as much as you can from the experience.

This week, consider the ways in which you have been blessed. Think about how you can take those blessings to a new level.  The best way to show God that you appreciate what He has done for you is to make the most of your blessings.