The Blessing: Picturing a Special Future

We have the unique privilege of inviting others to picture their special future through the eyes of the One who knows them best. Why is this a vital part of the blessing, and how can we live it out?

Through blessing, we communicate God’s heart about the inherent worth and value of every individual we bless. The absence of blessing in a person’s life leaves a void where love, acceptance, and emotional connection should reside.

According to John Trent and Gary Smalley in The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance, one of the elements of blessing is picturing a special future.

What is Picturing a Special Future?

Picturing a special future is a crucial element of a blessing that involves Holy Spirit guiding you to see more of who He created that person to be. That way, you can intercede for them for God to continue to lift and build them up into that person. You can intercede for and with them for God to reveal to them how they uniquely reflect Him on this earth. He wants to directly communicate with them to help them know Him and how He created them with great detail and care. As God does guides them, it goes beyond present circumstances and challenges, inviting individuals to envision a future filled with hope, purpose, and fulfillment in who He created them to be. This element of the blessing encourages individuals to dream, set goals, and embrace a vision of what their life can become if they continue to say, “Yes” to God as He leads them and invites them to know Him more. Picturing a special future instills hope, motivates action, and empowers individuals to strive toward their aspirations, knowing that their efforts are directed towards a rewarding and meaningful tomorrow.

When picturing a special future as part of a blessing, it’s essential to tailor the vision to the individual’s unique qualities, strengths, calling and aspirations. Sometimes these are yet uncovered in their lives. That is why it is essential to ask God to guide you to only say exactly what He has for you to say in each moment. He loves to reveal directly to His children who they are, so He may lead you to ask God more about it together with the individual, waiting for Him to directly reveal that to them. Ask God to reveal how they uniquely reflect His heart. When you ask Him to help you see that person as He does, He may reveal to you more who they are and how He created them so you can intercede better for and speak life to them. Walk with Holy Spirit step by step in obedience to intercede when He asks you to and share only what He asks you to when. This personalized approach helps the recipient connect with the Lord on a deep and personal level. It involves recognizing their potential, talents, and passions and envisioning how these attributes can shape their future success and impact. Picturing a special future requires empathy and understanding, allowing the recipient to feel seen and valued for their individuality and potential.

Moreover, the element of picturing a special future plays a vital role in fostering resilience and perseverance. When inviting them into a compelling picture of a future worth following Him through, God equips individuals to navigate challenges and setbacks with determination and hope. This element of the blessing illuminates the path towards personal growth and achievements specific to that individual. It encourages individuals to overcome obstacles, make positive choices, and develop the resilience needed to walk in step with Jesus as that envisioned future becomes a reality. Ultimately, picturing a special future in a blessing is a powerful tool that inspires individuals to reach for their highest potential and live a life filled with purpose and significance.

How Can You Picture a Special Future?

Picturing a special future is not about controlling or manipulating someone. It’s not about living out all the things you regret through the life of your child. It is all about seeking God’s heart for each of your children (or each individual God leads you to bless). It is about seeing them as He does. It is about lovingly supporting them as they seek to know Him and follow Him. Here’s how you can employ past consistency, the power of present commitment, and a guiding light to envision a special future:

Past Consistency: Picturing a special future through past consistency as the blesser involves aligning your words of blessing with your actions and behaviors. Reflect on times when your words have consistently matched your actions, demonstrating integrity and authenticity. Consider the impact of your words on others and how they have inspired, encouraged, and uplifted. Be sure that if you are picturing time together, you show up for it.
The Power of Present Commitment: Picturing a special future requires a commitment to be present at the present moment. By committing to be present each moment and to help your child see how God is present in that moment, He can help them build trust with Him as the only One Who can help actively shape the trajectory of their future toward their best life. Essentially, it boils down to loving well and guiding them to notice well how God is continually committed and present loving them well.
A Guiding Light to Follow: Having a guiding light or vision can illuminate the path to a special future. As they know Him better, God’s character can inspire and resonate with the person as He leads them into the blessing He has for them. You can direct them to Holy Spirit, their compass, guiding their choices and actions as they strive toward their envisioned future. Positively approach your kids’ dreams with specific encouragement for how to achieve them.

What Happens if Someone Doesn’t Receive the Blessing of Picturing a Special Future?

It is important for us not to ignore this need in our children, spouses, and close friends, as denying them a pictured special future, we are denying them an important part of the blessing. The absence of picturing a special future as part of a blessing can have negative consequences on an individual’s sense of hope, purpose, and motivation. When a special future is not envisioned and communicated, individuals may struggle to see beyond their present circumstances and may lack direction or goals to strive for. The absence of a positive vision for the future can lead to a sense of aimlessness, stagnation, and a lack of fulfillment. Without the blessing of picturing a special future, individuals may find it challenging to tap into their full potential, as they may lack the inspiration and drive to pursue their dreams and aspirations. This can result in a diminished sense of purpose, a loss of motivation, and a feeling of being stuck or unfulfilled in life. Additionally, the absence of envisioning a special future in a blessing can hinder personal growth and resilience, as individuals may not have the mental and emotional framework to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of challenges.

Jesus Demonstrated Picturing a Special Future

Jesus demonstrated picturing a special future through his teachings and interactions with his disciples and followers. Here are a few ways in which Jesus showcased the element of picturing a special future:

Promising Eternal Life: Jesus consistently spoke about the future promise of eternal life and the kingdom of God. He assured his followers that there was a special future awaiting them beyond their earthly existence—a future of everlasting joy, peace, and communion with God that begins today. By painting a picture of this special future, Jesus instilled hope and encouraged his disciples to live with a sense of purpose and anticipation as they know Him better.
Calling Disciples to a New Identity: Jesus called his disciples to leave their former lives behind and follow him. He invited them to embrace a new identity as his followers and to envision a future where they would play a significant role in helping others know Him and establishing His kingdom on earth. Jesus painted a special future for his disciples, where Holy Spirit would always be present and they would become fishers of men, ambassadors of God’s love, and agents of transformation in the world.
Teaching about the Second Coming: Jesus spoke about his eventual return and the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. He described a future where he would come again in glory, judge the world, and establish a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus painted a special future where justice would prevail, suffering would cease, and God’s reign would be fully realized. This vision of the future continues to empower His followers to persevere in faith, knowing that their present struggles were not in vain.
Encouraging Faith and Trust: Throughout his ministry, Jesus encouraged his disciples and followers to have faith and trust in God’s plans and promises. He assured them that God knew their needs, cared for them deeply, and had a special future in store for them. Jesus used word pictures and parables to illustrate the faithfulness of God and the rewards that await those who trust in Him. By doing so, he invited his followers to picture a future where their faith would be rewarded and their needs would be met.

Through his teachings, promises, and invitations, Jesus demonstrated picturing a special future. He painted a vivid and compelling vision of a future filled with hope, purpose, and divine fulfillment. Jesus encourages his disciples and followers to envision this special future, allowing it to inspire their present actions, shape their identity, and give them the courage and perseverance to live with faith and anticipation.

Redeemed Blessing

If you haven’t yet extended the gift of the blessing to your own children- as long as you both are alive, there is still opportunity. Take a step toward it today. If someone you love hasn’t received it, prayerful extension of blessing through you could be a healing gift. Ask the Lord His heart over the person and guide them to His heart for them as He leads you to. It can be life-changing.

If you feel you missed out on the blessing, God lovingly designed you with great care and intentionality. Ask Him now how He sees you and who He created you to be. The special future He has for you involves knowing Him, walking intimately with Him through life, and you reflecting Him in the incredible unique ways that He designed you to reveal His heart.

Ultimate Redemption of The Blessing

Ultimately, all earthy blessing is a shadow of the ultimate, eternal blessing God extends to us every breath we take. The longing we have can only fully be met in the One who will never forsake us, let us down, or run out of energy to listen to us and pursue us with His love and delight in us.

He offers the secure connection, stable relationship, unconditional love, unfailing kindness, and permanent presence that even the best, most well-meaning parent will fall short of.

The Lord binds up our wounds, carries our pain, and heals us from the inside out Isaiah 61:1-3). He never grows weary or frustrated with us. He is always inviting us into more of Himself. As we know Him better, He restores the blessing in this life and for eternity. His blessing is perfect for us. He alone can invite and lift us up into all that we are as we rest in all that He is.

Sip Life Slowly and Enjoy It

Wholeheartedly delight in the macro and micro of life in God.

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