[EdSharkey]

Word choice can help your thinking. We all receive different struggles and decide how to respond.

The way you describe your 'luck', I read as "random good fortune" tinged with some guilt for being a 'have' when there are so many 'have-not's.

I prefer 'blessed', and not in the corny #blessed way, to describe my condition. To me, I was given much because so much is expected of me by God, by universe and by my higher self.

The extent to which I am blessed is a component of my calling to improve the total human condition.

If you lean in to that way of thinking, you obligate yourself and that can be as heavy a burden as you choose to make it. That choice and the freedom to decide how to fulfill that obligation are a part of the blessing.

To naval gaze and feel guilt is natural but fruitless stinkin' thinkin'. Motivating oneself with gratitude and humbling oneself by giving glory are ways to power through guilt.

[_heimdall]

> I prefer 'blessed', and not in the corny #blessed way, to describe my condition. To me, I was given much because so much is expected of me by God, by universe and by my higher self.

How do you avoid this leading to a feeling that you, and anyone else "blessed", is more important that others? Should we really assume that the condition of one's life is an indicator of both the existence of a higher power and of that person's relative importance to it?

[ricenews]

Not OP, but I’ll take a crack at responding.

The feeling of being “blessed” is the recognition that a substantial component of your current fortune is due to circumstances outside your control, whether due to a higher power, support from family/friends, raw luck, or the kindness of strangers. The proper and typical response to this feeling is one of gratitude, not self-importance, and the desired response is to contribute in various ways to the blessing of others (i.e. pay it forward).

It’s only when we lose the salience of that “blessed” feeling, and we start to take our circumstances for granted, that leads to our feeling of greater importance than others. It’s a slippery position no doubt, but the alternative feelings are: guilt (that I’ve received unfairly), anxiety (that what I’ve received may not be enough), jealousy (that what I’ve received is not enough), or pride/self-satisfaction (that I’m primarily responsible for what I’ve received). And honestly, it’s pride that is the true gateway to that feeling of self-importance you describe.

[remram]

What you're describing is better captured by the word "lucky". "Blessed" is lucky plus an acknowledgement that this luck was granted to you on purpose by a higher power, so you deserved it in a karmic way (though not operational way). It really irks me too.

[simplify]

"Blessed" does not necessarily imply karmic nor deserving. Many Christians will say they've been blessed and recognize they don't deserve it.

[withinboredom]

Someone/something divine must do the blessing. This is in the definition of bless, so how do you conclude it doesn't? To gain the favor of a god/goddess means the divine creature believes you deserve it, even if you don't think it to be so.

[scott_w]

Christianity explicitly states pride is a sin. They’re not supposed to pray for God’s favour in this life but to be given the strength to be good so they can be allowed salvation in the next life.

[simplify]

Grace literally means to bless without deserving. I think you're being too rigid in your thought process.

[Chris2048]

> "Blessed" is lucky plus an acknowledgement that this luck was granted to you on purpose by a higher power, so you deserved it in a karmic way

The karmic component would make it a reward. So much as you are blessed with resources, you are then able to make sacrifices that aren't necessarily enviable.

[_heimdall]

I definitely understand it from the angle you're describing, though similar to a sibling comment I'd see that as "lucky" more than "blessed".

The OP comment was removed ,but if I remember right it was specifically calling out their life circumstances as being given by god specifically, and a view that this is both a purposeful prioritization of that person and a responsibility to use gods blessings.

I wouldn't even argue directly against that view, mainly because I strongly believe that everyone has an absolute right to freedom of religion. I would have been curious to hear more though, because at least how I remember the OP describing it there was more to it than a recognition of the circumstances they were born into and how it compares to others less fortunate.

[EdSharkey]

I am an average, flawed and vulnerable human. I am aware everything I value and love including my life can be taken from me.

Should that happen, I don't consider that a special punishment from God any more than my current condition is a special gift.

I'm here for a blink and then I am gone for the rest of long time. This brief opportunity to improve things and make earthly living less hellish for those who come after me is the blessing that I am thankful for.

Hope that helps.