Typically, when I hear the phrase Benefits Package, my mind wanders first towards the employment world, and the advice I usually give to students to be mindful that while they are engaging in the job-seeking process, it is wise to consider not only a base salary, but to be deliberate about gaining knowledge regarding the entire Benefits Package. In today’s marketplace, there might be a wide range of benefits that an employer offers such as a retirement plan, health insurance, organizational memberships, travel, and bonuses. Every year I am provided with an itemized list of employment benefits above and beyond my salary, so that I am aware of my total compensation.

Another scenario where this phrase arises for me relates to the purchase of an automobile, where features are packaged together so you will spend more than your original budget on items you will never use. I’m the odd and picky duck that desires random features in my transportation. Searching for a 2018 with the High Altitude II Package meant I had to drive three hours to locate my Jeep, but that adaptive cruise control was a must! It may be the only item in that Benefits Package that I’m actually using, but I didn’t want my Jeep without it. Still trying to figure out what the headlamp washer is—my headlights don’t have little wipers on them—but it’s on the itemized list of features on my window sticker that I just perused to write this post.

Now, a third and very different scenario where I’ve been asked to consider the phrase Benefits Package is one that completely caught me off guard as I was participating in the devotional included in Nancy DeMoss’s book Choosing Gratitude. While completing day four’s message entitled Another…and Another, readers are asked to review Psalm 103:1-5 and to create a list of blessings that we have received from God and from others. DeMoss shares, “As we recognize and identify the specific blessings we have received from God and from others, we discover countless reasons for expressing gratitude. The psalmist took time to bless the Lord for specific benefits—he didn’t want to forget even one of them! As you open your heart to Him in prayer today, ask God to reveal to you just how great your Benefits Package really is.”

Personally, I’m being challenged to create an itemized list every day of at least five blessings that God has provided to me. Using Psalm 103 as my starting point, I’ve been: forgiven of sins, healed of disease, and redeemed from death, yet creating this list seems more difficult than an itemized list of job desirables or car features, and that troubles me! My hope is that the challenge arises from the overwhelming number of items to choose from, but I’m afraid the reality is that I have a sinful heart that I have allowed to be overrun by Weeds of Ingratitude. But today is a new day, I still have an opportunity to flourish in gratitude and selflessness—feel free to remind me again tomorrow. I have a default setting that’s difficult to overcome!

Walking in faith with the Creator of the universe comes with a gigantic Benefits Package, and I hope you might share in the comments below practical ways that you have found to eliminate the Weeds of Ingratitude in your life.

Reference:

DeMoss, N.L. & Downs, A.F. (2009). Choosing gratitude: Your journey to joy. [Kindle version]. Moody Publishers.