If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times! A well-meaning person wanting to encourage me says, “Have a blessed day!” When you think about it, what in the world does that mean?
What does a blessed day look like? Does it mean I should look for more blessings, better circumstances or unexpected surprises today? What would make today more blessed than yesterday or tomorrow more blessed than today? Perhaps it is synonymous with wishing someone a good day. Could it be another way of saying, I hope your day is filled with uplifting experiences?
In any case, most of the time I accept what the person says with a smile and a simple “thank you.” This courteous, southern expression is so overused; it has become meaningless to many people. Perhaps it is similar to the greeting, “How are you?” When you say it, you really do not expect an answer. If, on the other hand, the person is serious in wishing you a blessed day, what does it mean?
I wonder what would happen if you asked the person what they have in mind when they wish you a blessed day? Do they understand “blessed” in the way Jesus used the word in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 4-7? Jesus identified the following as “blessed” individuals: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted. The word He used is the same word that is translated “happy” or “joyful.”
A blessed person, and someone who receives blessings are not the same. We all receive blessings, but not all of us are blessed. Those Jesus identified as “blessed” are those who, in spite of their circumstances, experience joy and contentment. To be a blessed person has little to do with what happens around you, and everything to do with what happens in you. It is a matter of the heart and of attitude.
First, the blessed person sees beyond the current reality of suffering or loss, and draws strength and solace from the knowledge that what they are going through is only temporary. This person is able to put things in perspective. Here is how the Apostle Paul put it:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:16-17 NIV)
Second, there is a difference between being blessed and receiving blessings. If you have received blessings, you will only be truly blessed as you pass those blessings on to others. Therefore, because we are the recipients of blessings from God, it does not mean that we are blessed people. The blessed person understand the purpose of God’s blessings is not to make us feel better, but to make us live better. As someone said, “it is not about what comes to us, but what comes through us that really counts.”
Do you want to have a truly blessed day? Many years ago someone shared with me this simple acrostic of joy: Jesus first, others second and yourself last.
When someone wishes you a blessed day, remember these two truths. First, you will have a blessed day, not because of what happens to you during the day, but because of the attitude in your heart, and the awareness of God’s purpose for your life. Second, you will enjoy the blessings that come your way only as you learn to share those blessings with others.
Encourage_ 
Larry, great article! Love the two key truths. If we could be consistently mindful of those two truths it would change many lives. Your blog today was a blessing.
Thank you Joe. Your ministry and your recent book, THE LANGUAGE OF BLESSING, has been a blessing to me. Can’t wait to share my review of your book!
Thanks Larry,
I am looking forward to your thoughts and insights which I will deeply value.
Joe V Cavanaugh III
Ephesians 4 Leadership
Cell- 402-676-9800
joe@equip2equip.com
Ideation – Input – Communication – Maximizer – Connectedness
Creativity-Curiosity-Hope-Spirituality-Love of Learning-Zest for Life
Eph 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
I am not sure how long this has been posted, however, I am so thankful that I was able to read and fill my soul with this word. I must find the book.
Thanks brother Larry these words are very true , I am going to have a blessed day
Whenever I am told “have a blessed day” I say thank you and you too. Whenever my husband gets told this it is like a big curse falls upon us. I try to grow close to God and he doesn’t. I tols him next time just tell the person I renounce that and I’m sending you the blessing back and maybe complain to the manager. I’m tired of us getting cursed when he receives a ” have a blessed day”.
Thank you. I was struggling with an answer for a severe case of caregiver burn out with my adult, handicapped, step-son. It has been a long road and there is no foreseeable end in sight or even signs of hope. I was checking my email and finally decided to research the phrase “have a blessed day” when God led me to your blog. (The website with the rant about ‘have a blessed day’ from an atheistic perspective had an add blocking me from reading it. Thank you Lord!) So I clicked on the link for your response. And God led me in that round-a-bout way to His answer. It really is a matter of my heart and my attitude, regardless what my circumstances look like. Intellectually I knew this. Spiritually I needed a refresher.
Thank you so much for this article. What a blessing.
Gayle
Take it for WHAT it means have a day l blessed with gods good blessings
Is this expression more commonly used by any one denomination? As a Baptist, I have rarely heard it used.
I hear this many times from my African American friends who are being nice and polite. I’ve heard it mostly outside the church context. Has little to do with denomination as much as southern culture.
I was born in the church sorta speak. And being an African American female in the Pentecostal, Holiness or Hell I thought, but my heart was touched today when I stumbled on this post and something new, I feel in my heart. idk. thanks for these words that stood out.
Have a blessed day
When someone wishes you a blessed day, remember these two truths. First, you will have a blessed day, not because of what happens to you during the day, but because of the attitude in your heart, and the awareness of God’s purpose for your life. Second, you will enjoy the blessings that come your way only as you learn to share those blessings with others.
I tell have a blessed day to family members friends and even ppl at a store or a store clerk. I simply mean what it says have a blessed day… Means have a great day a joyful day an awesome day as to Blessing some once day in a good and Godly way. So please don’t be o feel offend when some one is been polite in doing just what they mean be blessed stay blessed or have. A blessed day. Jesus told ppl. That we was blessed ppl. And the blessing in our life God tell us to be blessed every day from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep. God bless you and yours and please do have a blessed day.