It’s those times we go without that give us capacity to fully appreciate what we have. The joy of food is greatly enhanced when we have missed a meal. A moment of health is fully enjoyed when we have endured a long sickness. And we certainly adore those first sunny days after a long winter.
It’s hard to count your blessings when you have always had them. The angels were created in perfect environment receiving blessing after blessing from God. They did not know suffering, pain or death. Instead of being grateful, a third of the angels became resentful and rebelled
(For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isa. 14:13-14,
Rev 12:4: "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."
We can see this same pattern repeated in humanity. History shows that a generation born into prosperity usually becomes an ungrateful generation with entitlement issues.
Appreciation often comes when we are deprived of something – ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’. Ironically, it is through adversity that capacity for joy is built.
God is not the author of suffering and never intended it for angels or humanity; however, He allows the repercussions of free will to take its course (both individual and collectively), so we can build a frame of reference to appreciate His unrestrained blessings in Eternity.
For those who accept God’s free offer of salvation (through Christ), there will be no more adversity after death. God can rain his blessings on us as He originally intended; and due to life’s lessons we will have capacity to enjoy them. With our understanding of pain, loneliness, heartache and death, we will have an everlasting frame of reference to appreciate, health, love, joy and eternal life.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
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