Mark Batterson

The blessing of God cannot be equated to external circumstances or mate­rial things. It’s an internal reality—a state of mind, a state of soul. It’s joy un­speakable. It’s peace that surpasses understanding.

Once you get the hang of it, flipping the blessing is a ton of fun. But it’s not always easy. One of the hardest things to flip is our flipping attitude!

Net worth isn’t calculated by a stock portfolio, equity in property, or the balance in your savings account. Your net worth is the sum total of all you’ve given away, not a penny more or a penny less.

If you enjoy something without giving thanks, it’s as if you have stolen it from God. Anything less than gratitude is grand larceny! If I remember right, “we enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Without the attitude of gratitude, we don’t even get in the front door!

God grows us up spiritually in a hundred different ways, but the most effective method may be allowing us to endure situations that demand the character we need to cultivate.