“I’m Blessed” A Popular Phrase, But What Does It Mean?

Canva

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

People nowadays believe they are blessed whenever something good happens in their life. The statement “ I’m blessed” is a popular phrase and hashtag used on social media. People often attribute worldly riches (health, wealth, prosperity, etc.) to their blessings, but are they blessed? Do people understand what it means to be blessed? Worldly riches are not the only blessings we receive from God, and not every blessing is from God.

What does it mean to be blessed?

The word blessed has several meanings. The Oxford Dictionary defines Blessed as:

• Made holy; consecrated
• Endowed with divine favor and protection
• Bringing pleasure or relief as a welcome contrast to what one has previously experienced.

I find that surprising because the word blessed is often used when mentioning good fortune and the desired outcome. It’s understandable why someone would feel blessed when something good happens, but should you feel blessed? What about the less fortunate or unaccomplished people, are they to believe they are not blessed?

Worldly Blessings and Spiritual Blessings

There are two types of blessings: worldly blessings and spiritual blessings. Worldly blessings are the material riches we enjoy every day; these blessings are temporary. Spiritual blessings are unseen and eternal, given to us in the heavenly realm. We receive spiritual blessing through Jesus Christ; through his blood, we are redeemed, forgiven, and receive the riches of his grace(Ephesians 1:3–14 ESV).

do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

A relationship with God through Christ is the best blessing we received because, unlike worldly blessing, it’s not temporary; God’s love endures forever(Psalm 136); God’s love is everlasting and unconditional. You can be blessed with a good job and lose that job. You can buy a new house, and it can burn down. You can have it all one day, a great career, home, car, family, and lose it all the next day; these things are transient. Therefore, we should not focus our attention on these things; we should instead focus our attention on eternal things( 2 Corinthians 4: 18 ESV). We are blessed because of what Jesus did for us on the cross; he took our sin away, which is assurance that we will go to heaven.

Satan Gives Blessings Too

We also must realize that not every worldly blessing is from God; Satan gives blessings too. In Luke 4:5–6, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, “to you, I will give all authority” and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” If you, then, will worship me, it will be all yours.” Satan will give you the world to keep you away from God.

Satan seeks to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10 ESV), and he will try to destroy you with the things we love; by giving us the desires our heart. For that reason, we have to be careful about the things we value in our hearts. The bible tells us, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”(Matthew 6:21).

Everything in this life is temporary, and life is short. Life may be short, but heaven is forever. The assurance through Jesus Christ that we will one day go to heaven is the real reason why anyone should feel blessed.