I am rich.

Not because I have a lot of money, own a beautiful house, or have everything I've ever wanted. In fact, there's still a long list of things I'm praying for and areas of my life where I wish things were different.

But when I look back at how far God has brought me, I realize I have more reasons to be thankful than I sometimes remember.

Think about your own life for a moment.

Have you ever faced a situation where you genuinely didn't know how you were going to get through it? Maybe an unexpected expense came when you were already struggling to make ends meet. Or someone you loved became seriously ill, and you felt helpless because there was so little you could do.

Perhaps you went through a season when you felt completely alone, but someone showed up for you when you needed them most.

Not every situation ended the way you prayed it would. Some experiences may still be painful to remember. But even in those difficult moments, can you recognize ways God sustained you?

Sometimes we become so focused on what we don't have that we forget how much we've already received.

And perhaps that's why we need to reconsider what it really means to be rich.

When we're faced with new challenges, it's easy to forget how God has helped us in the past.

In Deuteronomy 8, Moses reminds the Israelites of their journey through the wilderness. God had provided manna when they were hungry, sustained them through difficult conditions, and brought them toward a land where they would have plenty.

But Moses also gave them a warning. When they became comfortable and prosperous, they were not to forget the Lord who had brought them out of Egypt.

It's interesting, isn't it? Sometimes we remember to pray when we're in need, but forget to give thanks when those needs have been met.

Think about something you once prayed desperately for. Perhaps it was healing for someone you love, a place to live, reconciliation with a family member, or simply the strength to get through a difficult period.

Maybe the answer didn't come as quickly as you hoped. Maybe it looked different from what you expected. But if God helped you through that season, don't let your present challenges make you forget His faithfulness.

Remembering what God has done doesn't mean ignoring what you're going through today. It means allowing those memories to strengthen your trust in Him.

There may still be things you're praying and hoping for, but don't let what you're waiting for overshadow the reasons you already have to be thankful.

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He included a simple request.

Matthew 6:11 says, “Give us today our daily bread.”

There's something beautiful about those words. Jesus teaches us to bring our everyday needs before our heavenly Father. Not next week’s need.

In Exodus 16, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna for them to eat. They were instructed to gather what they needed for each day.

Through this experience, they learned to depend on God's provision day by day.

And I think there's something we can learn from that.

How often do we spend today worrying about something that hasn't happened yet? We think about next month's expenses, the responsibilities waiting for us, or the things we still haven't figured out.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with planning ahead. We should be responsible with what God has entrusted to us. But planning for tomorrow and being consumed by tomorrow's worries are two different things.

Sometimes we're so concerned about what God hasn't provided yet that we overlook what He's given us today.

The meal on your table. The strength to care for your family. The help you received when you didn't know whom to ask.

These things may seem ordinary, but they are still reasons to be thankful.

It's easy to measure how well we're doing by looking at what other people have.

Someone buys a bigger house. Another person goes on an expensive vacation. You see people enjoying things you've wanted for years, and suddenly your own life doesn't seem like it’s enough.

But having more possessions doesn't necessarily mean having a more fulfilling life.

In Philippians 4:11–13, Paul explains that he learned to be content in different circumstances. He knew what it meant to have plenty, and he also knew what it meant to be in need. His contentment wasn't based on always having enough money or getting everything he wanted. He had learned to depend on Christ in both abundance and difficulty.

That's an important distinction.

Being rich in God doesn't mean your financial struggles aren't real. It doesn't mean you should stop working toward a better future or feel guilty for wanting to provide more for your family.

It means recognizing that your life has value beyond what you own.

You may not have the biggest house, but you might have people who genuinely love you. You may not be able to afford everything you want, but perhaps you have good health, something many people are praying for.

And if your health isn't where you'd like it to be, that doesn't make your life any less valuable. The challenges you're facing don't diminish how much God loves you or how precious you are to Him.

Above all, you have the opportunity to know the God who created you, loves you, and invites you into a relationship with Him.

That's a kind of richness no bank account can measure.

I wonder how differently we would see our lives if we spent more time recognizing the things we often take for granted.

The people who stood beside us in difficult moments. The strength we found when we thought we couldn't go on. The unexpected help. The moments of joy in seasons that weren't easy.

Gratitude doesn't make our problems disappear. You may still be facing real difficulties, and there may be things you've prayed about for a long time without seeing an answer.

But even while you're waiting, there are reasons to give thanks.

So here's something I'd encourage you to do today. Think of three things you're genuinely thankful to God for. They don't have to be extraordinary. And if someone has been a blessing to you, consider telling them how much you appreciate them.

You may not have everything you want, and there may still be a long way to go. But your worth isn't determined by your possessions, your income, or how your life compares with someone else's.

You have a God who loves you, knows your needs, and invites you to trust Him one day at a time.

And having Him in your life is worth more than anything money could buy.

So today, I want you to say it boldly with me:

I am rich.

✝ Kingdom Mantra

And as always, if there's anything you'd like me to pray with you about, I'd be happy to. God bless you. ❤️