If anyone pays
attention to what they’re taught, they will succeed. Blessed is the person who
trusts in the Lord.
- Proverbs 16:20 (NIRV)
"God Bless You" is more than just words. Many times throughout the week, I hear people say, “God bless you.” Sometimes it’s said in gratitude—when someone is truly thankful for a kind gesture. Other times, it's just an automatic response to a sneeze. Since my family moved to the South, I’ve also picked up on some regional expressions, like the ever-popular “Bless your heart.” At first, I thought that was a sweet and compassionate phrase. But over time, I’ve learned that “Bless your heart” isn’t always as kind as it sounds. Sometimes, it’s just a polite way of saying, “I’m glad it’s you and not me.” So, how do you respond? For a while, I used to respond to “God bless you” with, “He already has!” It was a cheerful, faith-filled response, and it still is. But lately, I’ve been wondering: How often do we really stop and think about our blessings? How often do we pause long enough to consider the ways God has already blessed us? There’s a saying that goes, “When praises go up, blessings rain down.” While it's not a direct Bible verse, the principle behind it is biblical. When we live in obedience to God and offer Him genuine praise, we open our lives to His favor. Not always in material ways, but in deeper, more meaningful ways—peace, joy, purpose, and provision. Believe it or not, there's a powerful spiritual lesson hidden in a scientific study about rats. Researchers have found that a rat’s behavior is shaped by two main psychological processes: conditioned avoidance and learned helplessness. In one experiment, a rat is placed in a chamber where one side is consistently paired with an unpleasant stimulus, like a small electric shock. Eventually, the rat learns to avoid that side altogether. In another experiment, a rat is placed in an environment where it receives inescapable shocks—no matter what it does, it can’t avoid them. Later, even when it’s moved to a space where escape is possible, the rat doesn’t even try. It’s been conditioned to believe that nothing it does will change the outcome. It made me wonder—are we the same way? Are we, like those rats, conditioned by life to avoid what might hurt, even when that means avoiding growth, obedience, or stepping out in faith? Do we grow numb to God's Word because we’ve stopped believing it makes a difference? Or are we actively learning, growing, and paying attention to the truth of Scripture? The Bible isn’t meant to be just a source of comfort—it’s meant to transform us, challenge us, and lead us into the fullness of life with Christ.
I saw a sign the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It said: “What if you woke up this morning with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
What a powerful reminder. In our busy, conditioned lives, are we pausing to recognize our blessings? Are we thanking God daily, not just for the big things, but for the small graces too—like health, breath, relationships, food, purpose?The truth is, “God bless you” is more than just a polite phrase. It’s a prayer. A declaration. A reminder.
Yes, God has already blessed us—through Jesus, through His Word, and through countless everyday mercies. But how we recognize, respond to, and live out those blessings is up to us. So today, ask yourself: What have I learned about God lately? What am I truly thankful for? Am I letting God’s Word transform me—or am I living in spiritual autopilot? Let’s not be passive participants in our faith. Let’s be people who see our blessings clearly, give thanks freely, and live boldly in obedience to the One who blesses us beyond measure.
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible
- Proverbs 16:20 (NIRV)
"God Bless You" is more than just words. Many times throughout the week, I hear people say, “God bless you.” Sometimes it’s said in gratitude—when someone is truly thankful for a kind gesture. Other times, it's just an automatic response to a sneeze. Since my family moved to the South, I’ve also picked up on some regional expressions, like the ever-popular “Bless your heart.” At first, I thought that was a sweet and compassionate phrase. But over time, I’ve learned that “Bless your heart” isn’t always as kind as it sounds. Sometimes, it’s just a polite way of saying, “I’m glad it’s you and not me.” So, how do you respond? For a while, I used to respond to “God bless you” with, “He already has!” It was a cheerful, faith-filled response, and it still is. But lately, I’ve been wondering: How often do we really stop and think about our blessings? How often do we pause long enough to consider the ways God has already blessed us? There’s a saying that goes, “When praises go up, blessings rain down.” While it's not a direct Bible verse, the principle behind it is biblical. When we live in obedience to God and offer Him genuine praise, we open our lives to His favor. Not always in material ways, but in deeper, more meaningful ways—peace, joy, purpose, and provision. Believe it or not, there's a powerful spiritual lesson hidden in a scientific study about rats. Researchers have found that a rat’s behavior is shaped by two main psychological processes: conditioned avoidance and learned helplessness. In one experiment, a rat is placed in a chamber where one side is consistently paired with an unpleasant stimulus, like a small electric shock. Eventually, the rat learns to avoid that side altogether. In another experiment, a rat is placed in an environment where it receives inescapable shocks—no matter what it does, it can’t avoid them. Later, even when it’s moved to a space where escape is possible, the rat doesn’t even try. It’s been conditioned to believe that nothing it does will change the outcome. It made me wonder—are we the same way? Are we, like those rats, conditioned by life to avoid what might hurt, even when that means avoiding growth, obedience, or stepping out in faith? Do we grow numb to God's Word because we’ve stopped believing it makes a difference? Or are we actively learning, growing, and paying attention to the truth of Scripture? The Bible isn’t meant to be just a source of comfort—it’s meant to transform us, challenge us, and lead us into the fullness of life with Christ.
I saw a sign the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It said: “What if you woke up this morning with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
What a powerful reminder. In our busy, conditioned lives, are we pausing to recognize our blessings? Are we thanking God daily, not just for the big things, but for the small graces too—like health, breath, relationships, food, purpose?The truth is, “God bless you” is more than just a polite phrase. It’s a prayer. A declaration. A reminder.
Yes, God has already blessed us—through Jesus, through His Word, and through countless everyday mercies. But how we recognize, respond to, and live out those blessings is up to us. So today, ask yourself: What have I learned about God lately? What am I truly thankful for? Am I letting God’s Word transform me—or am I living in spiritual autopilot? Let’s not be passive participants in our faith. Let’s be people who see our blessings clearly, give thanks freely, and live boldly in obedience to the One who blesses us beyond measure.
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible
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