Blessing And Curse From The Bible

The word blessing brings to mind a variety of images for all of us. We say “God bless you” after a sneeze. “You’re so blessed” when life is good,

Blessed is a religious-sounding word that we use a lot. But what does it actually mean?

The Bible refers to blessing as flourishing and the multiplication of life. But it doesn’t always look like these things, and for many of us, life often looks and feels like the opposite.

We look around us and find a broken world filled with suffering, corruption, poverty, and war. We experience chronic illness, family dissension, and addiction. Our minds and bodies endure abuse.

For some, it feels more real to say life is about suffering than life is about blessing. And perhaps there’s a feeling within all of us that something has gone wrong.

The Bible has a name for this kind of and of dysfunction -the curse. In the Bible, the curse is when God hands people over to the consequences of seizing blessings on their own terms. It is a curse because, instead of abundance and life, we end up with scarcity, isolation, and death.

But where did this curse come from?

And is there hope for reversing it?

Origins of the curse

The account of the Bible begins with God bringing life out of darkness, ordering our beautiful earth, and blessing all it’s creatures.

The first blessing is when God creates animals. God blesses the animals, saying to them “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the land.” (Genesis 1:22). God’s blessing is about flourishing and multiplication of life. God shares His life-producing ability with others and invites us to participate with Him in extending the blessings throughout all of creation.

God gives us as humans an additional blessing that sets us apart from the animals. Humans are appointed as God’s representatives to rule over the sea and the entire flourishing world on God’s behalf. (Genesis 1:27-28).

The blessing is conditional, however. We are told that this gift of life and abundance is contingent upon the human’s trusting and following the one divine command: not to eat of the tree of knowing good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). This does not mean God only offers blessings to people who behave well; it simply means that choosing to trust God’s way of life and love is also a choice to enter into the blessing of real life.

This tree represents a decision for humans to trust God’s will or to trust their own. To trust God’s description of good and evil rather than trusting their own. Almost as soon as they face this decision, Adam and Eve encounter a deceptive slithering creature who says they can trust their own instincts more than God’s instruction. In fact, this slithering creature says they should. So they go for it and immediately experience the curse.

The effects of the curse

God grieves as He reminds them about the consequences of their choice. He had already told them that rejection of Him would end in rejection of a spiritual life, which means spiritual death. So He curses the serpent (Genesis 3:14-15), and He curses the ground (Genesis 3:17). Adam and Eve chose the curse of spiritual death instead of the blessing of a spiritual life. Notice that God does not curse Adam and Eve.

Instead, they experience the effects of the curse. Instead of fruitfulness in the land, there will be famine. When to comes to having children, the circumstances with come with pain, and complicated relationships that cause emotional and physical pain. Being fruitful and multiplying will now be filled with suffering such as infertility, jealousy, and sexual abuse. The ability to flourish, multiply, and share God’s life-producing ability with others will not disappear but will be disfigured and marred.

The curse affects the ability to experience the fullness of life and as we choose to distrust God’s direction, we leave life giving blessings in the garden and enter into the realm of curse. And death becomes

But even so, God gives us a promise as He did Adam and Eve. When God curses the deceptive creature who fooled Adam and Eve He declares that His would send someone who will ultimately destroy the creature and the curse. (Genesis 3:15). Death may be inevitable but this promise says it will not be permanent.

Reversing the curse

The curse spreads

Humans are fruitful and do multiply, but they end up multiplying grief, hardship, and violence instead of life. They spread so much death that they soak the ground with the blood of the innocent. (Genesis 4:10, 4:23-24, 6:1-4).

God continues the plan to reverse the curse and restore the blessing to humanity by blessing one family of a man named Abraham (Genesis 12). And Abraham would one day reverse the curse. That human is going to come through Abraham’d family.

Abraham and his family spread blessings to the nations (Genesis 13:1-3), but like Adam and Eve in the Garden, they are also deceived by false blessings. They seize and grab blessings on their own terms (Genesis 16:1-4). Years later, Abraham’s family, now the Israelites, grab a blessing by choosing a man to be king so they can be like all the other nations ( 1 Samuel 8:9). And the king’s reign leads them to destruction. Later King David tries to seize blessing by taking another man’s wife (2 Samuel 11), which leafs to his destroying family and destroying each other.

Each grab for a blessing leads to more curses. And God’s chosen family becomes a conduit of the curse instead of the blessing. Their accounts are filled with tales of deception and violent grabs for power resulting in the ultimate curse: exile from their land and slavery to foreign nations.

Yet, Israel’s prophets, who live through all of this, still trust in God’s promise to Abraham. They hold tight to the promise of the future Israelite who will reverse the curse again and restore God’s blessing for Israel and ALL the nations.

Jesus reverses the curse

Years later, a man named Jesus arrives. He claims that the blessing is coming in a new way -through Him. He says He is living in the way humanity was meant to live. It is 100% true and is the essence of real life. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). The original blessing language.

Jesus comes to show us that He trusts in God’s wisdom. He chooses blessing, not curse.

The curse put to death

Jesus faced the ultimate human choice. He trusts God’s will and not His own. They Bible says that Jesus sweated blood from the pressure inside His body when He asked God to remove this cup from Him. To avoid being murdered.

Ignoring God’s will in the Garden of Eden made sense to Adam and Eve, but they trusted that sense over and above God’s will. And Jesus in His human “sense,” but He trusted God’s divine will the most. “Not my will, but your will be done.” Mark 14:36. By doing so He confronts and reverses the curse.

God reverses death by raising Jesus from the dead, the firstborn of a new creation. The curse is put to death, so that the blessing of God’s life could spread once more.

Life in the in-between

How does this kind of life spread in a world where children get cancer diagnoses? In a world where marriages fall apart, where our friendships struggle, and our environment suffers? In this world, our minds deteriorate under crippling disease and anxiety. Our world is filled with power grabs, greed, and abuse at every turn.

Believers in God will not escape the effects of the curse in this life any more than Jesus did. So how do we live in this in-between before the curse is entirely eradicated?

After Jesus’s resurrection, He blessed His followers and said His presence would be with them as they learned to trust in God’s blessings and to share with others (Matthew 28:18-20). In a sense, each time people choose to listen and trust God, they enter into blessing and reverse the curse.

God’s Spirit empowers followers of Jesus to live lives of blessing. By His Spirit, we become conduits of blessing to others by taking part in the curse reversal that Jesus began.

While death and the curse still have a hold on our world, Jesus’s followers trust that the power of God’s blessing is stronger. We do not live as those without hope, is does not make light of our pain and suffering. Our hope is not a trite “everything happens for a reason.”

We do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), because God promises the blessing will eventually eradicate all remaining traces of the curse and completely heal all that’s been harmed.

We will fully and finally, experience God’s blessing and there will be no more curse.

“There will be no charge any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him” – Revelation 22:3

Obedience Is The Key That Unlocks God’s Promises

Obedience = Blessings

I’ve been thinking about how faith and obedience are linked. When you trust someone, you do what they say. If you don’t do what someone tells you to do, it means you don’t trust them.

In the Bible, God links faith and obedience over and over again. The promises of God are conditioned on us following the direction He gives us.

Deuteronomy 5:33 says,

“You shall walk in the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall process.“

In other words, if we follow the directions of the Lord life will go well.

God has made some incredible, specific promises in His Word about obedience. There are so many I can’t list them all. But here are a few:

    • Psalm 7:10 promises, “My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.”
    • Proverbs 16:20 promises, He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the Lord is blessed.”
    • Psalm 33:18 promises “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.”

      Obedience is the premise behind all of His promises. God gives us promises by grace. But we get to enjoy His promises when we follow His instructions.

      Whether we understand His instruction or not we need to obey Him no matter what.

      Some of His commands might sound confusing, and maybe sometimes seem unfair. For example, the Bible tells us we should be a cheerful giver and give 10% of our income. Giving money away doesn’t seem very fair especially when you are struggling to make ends meet. But God tells us to test Him in these. Blessings come abundantly when they are given away. The Bible says when people do you evil, we are to do good to them

      Things don’t always make sense from a human standpoint. But the things bags that don’t make sense to us are the things God asks us to do by faith. He wants us to trust Him and obey Him anyway.

      The Most Important Things Needed In Life

      What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

      I think the most important thing we need in life is that love will abound as more and more knowledge and depth come to light. So that we may be able to discern what is best and held blameless until the day Jesus returns. We all need mentors to teach and model and be positive supportive people in our lives.

      I believe adversity is a great teacher. We learn more about life from adversity than prosperity. Every person we meet can teach us something about life we need to know to be pure and blameless and be fruitful in righteousness.

      I believe the most important important thing in life is a relationship with God. through faith in Jesus. Life is bigger than we are. God can make a huge difference in how we handle problems, challenges, struggles, temptations, and decisions.

      Proverbs 3:6 proclaims,

      “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

      Who Do I Spend Most My Time With

      Who do you spend the most time with?

      Obviously, I spend most of my time with myself. But also with Jesus. It’s important to know how significant the Bible is. God is around us 24/7 and is speaking to us every day. Some people tune Him out. It is in silence that the Holy Spirit speaks.

      Grafted Into God’s Family

      The major theme of the book of Romans is the unity of both Jews and Gentiles (us) in God’s family.

      “Some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with then of the rich root of the olive tree – Romans 11:17.

      In Genesis 12:3 and 28:14, God promised Abraham and his generations that “all people on earth will be blessed through you.” God chose Israel to be the nation that would witness Him to the World. But Israel rejected God and His Messiah Jesus, choosing legalism over faith. Salvation through grace, by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf and not on the basis of works (Romans 11:6). And by faith we he gentiles have been grafted into God’s family.

      Grafting is a horticultural technique used to join two plants so they can be grown into one. Paul uses this metaphor of the grafting of the olive tree to explain the union of Jews and gentiles in Gods family. In the Old Testament, the olive tree was often used to symbolize Israel. This olive tree was cultivated and nurtured by God, but because of their disbelief and fruitlessness, God cut off the barren branches and grafted in the wild olive branches -the gentiles, that we may partake in the riches of God’s kingdom and draw the rest of the tree into fruitfulness (Romans 11:11).

      As a wild olive that has been grafted and joined into God’s family by His divine grace, we have to take caution and fulfill our responsibility.

      • Do not be conceited: Our being united into God’s family is the partial fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham that through his offering, the entire world would be blessed. Do not be puffed up in pride at your election into God’s family.

      Romans 11:21 tells us, “For if God did not share the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” And Proverbs 16:5 says, “The Lord detests the proud.

      Understanding that we are saved by grace and not by anything we can boast about, we need to stay humble in our service to the Lord.

      • Do not fall into disbelief: It is disbelief that did not allow the children of Israel to enter God’s rest (Hebrews 3:18-29), disbelief that prompted God to break off branches from the cultivated olive tree (Romans 11:17). Be cautious, “that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, hardened by sins deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:12-13).
      • Continue in God’s kindness: We should have a reverential fear of the awesome God who saved us from eternal death and calls us into fellowship with Jesus.

      In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul reminds us, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Without God’s goodness, there is no hope.

      • Be fruitful: Jesus said in John 15:5-6, “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears must fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch that is dried up. Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned.“

      God expects us to be fruitful in His kingdom. We are not called to be passive, but to be powerful witnesses of Jesus to the world. Bringing many to the joy of the Lord.

      If I Had to Change My Name

      If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

      I personally would not change my name, because I believe that all names have biblical blessings that go along with them. If I was forced I would change my first name to Zakiah which meaning the same as my name now -Kathy.

      The Valley Of Trouble Is A Door Of Hope

      The Bible is full of promises that speak of the restoration and hope we find in God, even when our sinfulness has caused trouble. We see one such promise in Hosea 2:15 after God brings Israel low in their misconducts, he says,

      “And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the day of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land on Egypt.”

      What does it mean for the Valley of Achor to be a door of hope? Historically, after wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites first settled in the Valley of Achor when they entered the Promised Land.

      However, remember that Achor means “trouble.” The Israelites experienced defeat at Ai in this valley because of sin in their camp. It says that Achan kept some of the treasures from Jericho for himself and was stoned to death as a result. It was literally a valley of trouble. The hope Israel experienced in this valley of trouble is that after the sin received its punishment, the Lord continued to cause His face to shine upon them.

      The Lord often brings believers through their own valleys of troubles, especially when we wander away from His ways. These times can be dark and terrifying making us feel alone and scared. Yet, in these moments, God tenderly calls us back home. It’s a voice we may not have heard in a long time, revealing that in this valley is a door of hope.

      God promises to restore us spiritually when we fall. The restoration is like receiving choice fruits after a long famine. Therefore the reference to giving us back the vineyards. Imagine the sweetness of the grapes, representing the joy and satisfaction that comes from being in communion with God after we have been in the valley of trouble. He promises to give us back those choice grapes and to let the wine of His Spirit fill us with joy when we look to Him.

      Even when God gives us trials that trouble us, He is opening a door of hope. This hope is not our worthiness but God’s unchanging love and faithfulness. So, if you have been wandering away from the Lord by seeking things of the world, they will lead you to a desert land.

      My Favorite Chocolate Bar

      Describe your dream chocolate bar.

      I would describe it with hand-whipper marshmallow topped with roasted cashews and the coated in indulgent chocolate. For a nostalgic taste in every bite.

      Where Is Your Trust

      Where do you turn in a day when trust has been misused, maligned, and twisted to fit someone else’s agenda?

      Some put their trust in materialism, whoever has the most money and toys at the end wins. It’s a very sad epitaph. The only thing we can put our trust in this world is Jesus.

      We should never put our trust in Pastor’s. Minister’s Rabbi’s or other clergy because man let’s us down, it may not be intentionally but they will not be able to meet all your requirements.

      Matthew 6:19-21 tells us where we can put our trust.

      “Do not lay up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves don’t break through and steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

      Why is it that we do not honestly and openly trust in the Lord in every situation that we find ourselves in?

      I believe one of the reasons is we see things in the world, that deceive us, instead of our invisible Lord and Savior.

      Romans 12:1-2 gives us divine direction on how to put our trust in the Lord.

      “ I urge you, brothers (and sisters), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Do not bee confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is good, well-pleasing, and the perfect will of God.”

      Paul is saying here, that you have to trust the Lord enough to lay your life totally and completely on Him.

      The world has many things that pull us away from trusting the Lord. I think we live in the worst time of materialism that has ever been seen.

      One of the culprits is the internet, while it is good, people use it for the wrong reasons. It takes up some much of people’s lives. Satan is deceptive and will offer you the opportunity to pull your attention away from the Lord and pull your thinking from the Lord to the world.

      John 10:10 tells us that,

      “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they can have life, and have it abundantly.“

      Satan will not only steal your joy, but steal your trust in the Lord. That is why we need to resist satan. James 4:7 tells us to,

      “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.“

      1 Corinthians 10:13 says,

      “No temptation had overtaken you except such as is common to mankind, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

      Just from those scripture it verifies that we do not have to succumb to the things of the world, ti take our trust off God and put it on the things of the world.

      The Hebrew word for trust is Lexicon, it means to set one’s Hope and confidence, to be secure, fearing nothing.

      Being Grounded Technique For Anxiety Relief

      Anxiety are thoughts. That’s it, just thoughts. Yes, they can cause terrible effects on the body, but they begin as thoughts. They run away with our minds and bodies and steal our energy for the present because anxiety is almost never about the present. It’s about yesterday. It’s about tomorrow. It’s about what might happen or already happened, but we live in the present and what’s happening at this moment.

      I’ve had my share of panic attacks, I used to take medicine for it. Every time I had a panic attack I would run for the Xanax. It wasn’t until I found a new therapist who taught me how to manage them without medicine that things changed for me. It was called 54321 grounding.

      Grounding is simply pulling your thoughts together when your mind goes rogue and focus on your surroundings through your senses. Whether you experience full-blown panic attacks or can’t sleep because of a mental spiral it’s a great way to restore a little balance.

      The technique is simple. When you feel a panic attack coming on begin to take some deep breaths. Make sure your stomach moves when you breathe so that there is no shallow breathing. The goal isn’t to hyperventilate but to oxygenate.

      Now look around the room. Pick five things out of your surroundings. Name them out loud (you can whisper them). If can’t to that simply observe them. Focus on each one for a moment. What do you observe? What color are they? What are they used for?

      Next, pick four things can you touch. Reach out and touch them. How about something you’re wearing? What your sitting on? How would you describe the texture? The temperature?

      Now it’s time to listen. What three things do you hear? Are they loud? Soft? Familiar? When you begin to slow down and start breathing normally, are you aware of a sound that you didn’t even know was there?

      Next, notice if there are smells. This is a rough one for me because I lack the sense of smell unless it’s very pungent. Try smelling your skin, or your clothing, or the air, The point is to focus on your surroundings and step out of your mind.

      The last sense is taste. Do you have a taste on your tongue or in your mouth from a previous meal or drink? Do you taste toothpaste? If you have a drink or mint around you can use these, and will give you something solid to taste.

      Some people see grounding as a metaphysical connection to the earth or its energy. Others see grounding as a spiritual experience. But for anxiety and panic attacks purposes this technique I learned from my therapist years ago got me to a place where I could function normally in society or in extremely stressful situations.

      54321 Grounding

      Grounding Technique

      My Favorite Book From Childhood

      Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?

      I don’t remember my mother ever sitting down to read a book to me. I sometimes would listen to the radio when my mother would be cooking and a story would come on called “Don’t go in the woods alone.”

      After learning to read in school I enjoyed the stories about “Winnie The Pooh.”

      Books That Have Influenced My Life

      List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

      1.Holy Bible – This book has been my instructional manual on how to live a happy blessed life. Everything promised comes to pass.

      2. The Brain Of The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N Aron phd – This book has shed light on how I perceive and process information. And caused to realize why I react differently than other people.

      3. The Return Of The gods by Rabbi Jonathan Cohn- This book took me on a journey to ancient inscriptions that explained the puzzle pieces behind what is taking place in America today.