It’s easy to take everyday blessings for granted until they’re suddenly gone. Our health, family, homes, abilities, relationships, and simple comforts can become so familiar that we stop noticing them. But seasons of loss or difficulty can remind us just how much we have and challenge us to live with greater gratitude for God’s goodness.

Zechariah’s story in Luke 1 offers a powerful reminder about doubt, prayer, and learning to recognize God’s blessings. After years of waiting for a child, Zechariah struggled to believe God’s promise when the answer finally came, and his temporary silence gave him time to reflect. We don’t have to wait for something to be taken away before we appreciate it. By focusing on God’s generosity and choosing gratitude each day, we can become more aware of His blessings and trust His power and promises even when we don’t understand how He will work.

Highlights:

• Why we often recognize the value of everyday blessings only after losing them
• What Zechariah’s story teaches us about doubt and trusting God’s promises
• Learning to appreciate health, family, relationships, and daily provisions
• Why gratitude can change our perspective during difficult circumstances
• How to recognize areas where doubt may be keeping you from trusting God
• Practical questions for identifying blessings you may be taking for granted
• Encouragement to praise God and give thanks for His goodness today

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Full Transcript Below:

What Are You Taking for Granted?

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’” – Luke 1:18-20, NIV

I lost my voice for about one week after a severe cold. It was awkward and humbling having to communicate only through writing during that time. I had to type in chat during online meetings when everyone else was talking, and they had to wait for me since typing is much slower than talking. I had to write notes to family members and hold them up, or try to gesture or pantomime what I wanted to say. The experience taught me not to take my voice for granted. It’s amazing how quickly we realize the value of something only after it’s suddenly taken away. We go through life using our senses, our health, and our daily comforts without a second thought, assuming they will always be there.

A similar thing happened to a priest named Zechariah in the Bible. He and his wife, Elizabeth, had prayed for a child for many years, but still didn’t have one by the time they grew old – much too old to have any children naturally. One day, however, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah with incredible news: God had heard his prayers, and Elizabeth would give birth to a son. Instead of celebrating God’s goodness and thanking God, though, Zechariah doubted the wonderful message God had sent him. Zechariah asked Gabriel: “How can I be sure of this?” Because of his unbelief, God gave Zechariah a sign. He took away Zechariah’s ability to speak, so Zechariah would have to be silent until the baby was born.

Imagine the sudden shock Zechariah must have felt. For nine long months, he couldn’t speak to his wife or friends. He couldn’t lead worship or share his thoughts. He had to use writing tablets and hand gestures just to communicate daily needs. Zechariah had taken his ability to speak for granted. More importantly, he had taken God’s ultimate power for granted. Zechariah’s forced silence gave him the time and motivation he needed to reflect, listen, and learn to appreciate God’s blessings.

We can all sometimes act like Zechariah. God is constantly pouring blessings into our lives, but too often we focus on what we don’t have or doubt God’s goodness when we’re dealing with difficult circumstances. We may take our health, our families, our homes, our food, and even the breath in our lungs completely for granted. It usually takes a season when we’re missing something – like an illness, a financial problem, or a broken relationship – to wake us up and make us see how blessed we are because of God’s great love for us.

Fortunately, Zechariah’s story doesn’t end in silence. When the baby was finally born, Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” Then, Luke 1:64 records that: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” Zechariah immediately praised God as soon as he got his voice back. He had learned not to take his voice for granted.

God doesn’t want us to wait until we lose our blessings to start appreciating them. He wants us to live with gratitude right now. All we have to do to stop taking our blessings for granted is to stay focused on our generous God from day to day, and expect the best from God because he loves us!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to appreciate your blessings rather than taking them for granted, reflect on these questions:

• When God answers your prayers, do you thank God right away, or do you find yourself questioning how God’s answers will really happen? 
• What’s one everyday blessing you currently enjoy that you rarely stop to thank God for? How can you give thanks to God today for that? 
• Looking back at your past, what is something you only truly appreciated after it was temporarily taken away? 
• In what areas of your life are you letting doubt prevent you from trusting God’s power and promises?

Further Reading:

Psalm 103:2

1 Thessalonians 5:18

James 1:17

Ephesians 5:20

Colossians 3:17