"Today is Thanksgiving. Are you counting your blessings?"

A pastor was on a mission trip leading worship at a leper colony on the island of Tobago. There was time for one more song, so he asked if anyone had a request. A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit turned around to make her request.

She had the most hideous face you can imagine. The woman's nose and ears were completely gone due to the leprosy. Despite all of this personal devastation, she lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, "Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?"

Today when you feel stressed out or burned out or cast out and don’t think that you can face one more minute of a hopeless, despairing, end-of-your-rope day, think about this woman who despite her personal devastation chose to count her many blessings. Remember her example, take one step away from your self-pity, lift your fingers, and count one blessing God gave you no matter how small it is. Then listen to your life and give thanks for who you are and all you have as you make a life, not just a living.

Click here to listen to Dr. Joey