A favorite passage of Scripture is Matthew 5, the Beatitudes, where Jesus says “blessed are the___” and then proceeds to list the various states of humanity. We are, according to this chapter, “poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” and “persecuted.” Those are pretty miserable conditions. But we are also “meek,” “peacemakers,” and “merciful.” In a few short verses Jesus describes the general scope of who we are, each and all of us, on any given day.

The verses are not a critique of human nature. They are a set of remedies for our woes and promises for our future. When we are experiencing any of these conditions, Jesus tells us we are (already) BLESSED. He even explains how: we will “inherit the kingdom of heaven,” and we will “be comforted,” and we will “see God.” When we “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” we “will be filled.” He has it all covered, good and bad. He knows all about us. He knows our problems and our strengths, our fears and our dreams. And in all of those, if we are in Christ, we are BLESSED.

Jesus goes beyond what is “happy”. We find satisfaction in Him, not in our circumstances. The scenery of life changes daily. But the divine favor of His blessing is consistent. Jesus knows all about our struggles, as the hymn says, and He does not immunize us from trouble; instead, He goes with us and makes us stronger. Wherever your day takes you, know in your heart that you are BLESSED. The Word says so.