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Monday, February 28, 2011

Lucky vs. Blessed

I can't tell you how many people have come up to me in the last few weeks letting me know how "lucky" I or my family is, in one form or another. We're lucky that John wasn't hurt worse in his fall, at work we're lucky to get our work done. After I told some people that I was quitting my job they let me know how lucky I was to be leaving.

Usually I just whisper under my breath that no I'm blessed as they walk away. Friday this word really got on my nerves though.

I went looking for answers to this 5 letter annoyance and here's what I found...

Lucky adj. Happening by chance, especially if desired result happens.

"By chance"...if we are lucky it means God has no power, Jesus died for nothing and everything happens by accident. Luck has no hope, luck doesn't love, luck doesn't forgive, luck doesn't redeem us from ourselves.

I'm tired of luck...so lets move on...

Blessed~ Verb. To bestow good of any kind upon. (Someone actually has to do the blessing)

Sounds kind of like luck doesn't it...but God blesses us. God loves, God forgives, God brings us hope. We are blessed. I am blessed. If nothing else happens in my entire life, I'm blessed..because I have hope, I have a home that is not of this world.

We were put in this world for a reason, for a purpose. Nothing ever happens by chance and the world needs to know where our hope comes from. We're not lucky, we're BLESSED!

He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God He is my mighty rock my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, Oh People; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:6-8

8 comments:

Jenifer Metzger said...

That is a phrase I dislike as well. Luck, chance as you found, has nothing to do with it. God has BLESSED us! We are a BLESSED people. Not lucky.

And yes, you are a very BLESSED woman! Love ya!

Deane said...

Thanks for a great post. To many people thing everything is luck, by chance. They don't seem to understand we are blessed and blessed even more. Even when going through trials and tribulations we are blessed, blessed because we are learning and God is helping us to be stronger and getting closer to Him. Thanks for a really great post. Yes, you are truly blessed, Mandy.

Kelli said...

Mandy, this is a great post! I like what you wrote here ""By chance"...if we are lucky it means God has no power, Jesus died for nothing." Powerful and I completely agree. God always is intentional. He has a purpose and plan. You are right... your either a believer of luck and destiny or a believer of God who provides a hope and a future!

Debi said...

I, too, hate that phrase! I am NOT lucky! I am blessed beyond measure by a God that loves me and desires to bless me according to His measure! Thank you for this post. Maybe we Christians need to work at getting rid of this statement! Everytime someone tells me I'm lucky, I'm just going to say, "No, I'm blessed by God!"

Unknown said...

Amen! I don't want to be lucky; to live my life by chance. I put my hope in God and because of that, I am blessed!

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

Amen Mandy! I generally use the word "Thankfully" to replace "Luckily" for the same reason. You're completely right, we're Blessed, not lucky!

Have a BLESSED Day! :-)

Unknown said...

You said it sister! I am blessed and I know it. I like to respond when someone tells me that I am lucky for some reason, that no, I'm not lucky I'm blessed!

Soldoutfanatic said...

Hi friends and family! Mandy, thank you for your bold stance and declaration about our giving and compassionate Lord, right on sista! I too am a believer in the Lord Jesus and I am equally frustrated at this word "luck" that people use to define our lives. I admit, I use the word blindly many times bc it is a knee jerk reaction that Ive learned in my culture. But that is being changed now ;). My intention is to find a way to honor God with my speech while honoring those around me so that I dont take out my frustration on them. I especially admire how you respond to those people bc it isnt hateful or ugly!
"Usually I just whisper under my breath that no I'm blessed as they walk away." I have done this too haha!
In my opinion, many people attempt to express compassion or favor to us by saying "good luck or you are lucky..." for the same blind reason that I do, because of ignorance and acceptance in society. Its popular to use this phrase. Although popular isnt bad in and of itself, the stripping God of His glory with the use of the word is very bad for everyone.
Last point and Im done, promise! So here is what I have found recently... To take the argument a step further what does it mean to use the Lords name in vain? One would say, "God da*$ or loosely using any of God's names" is a misuse of a holy name and therefore a breach of God's commandment. Agreed. But what about saying "I am a failure or I am stupid or even the infamous I am/was lucky?" To me, this sounds like a breach of the command and has deceived us for many years, for it is written "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'. And he said "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you" Exodus 3:14.
So you see? Our frustration is justified because it dishonors our Creator! No wonder we are frustrated! So, if we are to be in the world and not of the world (summed up from John 17:14-18), how do we respond in love to this? Not quite sure but this is a start. Didnt mean to hog the page, just recently heard this and wanted to share! Thanks!
-Soldoutfanatic