Can a time when we are feeling low in life become a time of blessing?

Jesus said that it is just such a time when we may especially experience the blessing of God. In the Beatitudes, the eight “blessed are” sayings that begin the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and “blessed are those who mourn.”

Perhaps times of trouble become occasions of blessing because it is in precisely such times that we become particularly aware of our need for God.

In our spiritual poverty we can experience the riches of God’s grace... Share on X

In the midst of tough circumstances, we may feel that blessing is far from us. But the words of Jesus bring wisdom and encouragement. In our spiritual poverty we can experience the riches of God’s grace—when we look to the Lord in faith, and are receptive to the blessing of God.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 104:1–3
Matthew 5:1–10

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About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.