Question: Sir, if I am not being blessed by God, does that mean I am not in right relation to him?

Answer: All spiritual blessings are in Christ, and only by abiding in him can we enjoy those blessings (Ephesians 1:3; John 15:4, 5). However, the idea that if we are right with God we will have no troubles is not taught in Scripture. Job and Jesus (John 9:1-3) warn us against false assumptions. While it is true that sinful living does lead to suffering, particular suffering should not be assumed arbitrarily to indicate specific sin. If, according to the word of God, we are not guilty, we should not feel guilty. If, according to the word of God, we are guilty we must not misinterpret his blessings as approval (Matthew 5:45). We all should examine our lives in light of God’s word to determine whether or not we are guilty of sin. Furthermore, the experience of suffering does not mean that God is not blessing! It is easy for us to focus on the suffering and to fail to see multitudes of his blessings that we are receiving. Some of God’s greatest blessings indeed come in the midst of suffering (Romans 8:28)!