One renowned man of God preached a message some time ago that imparted me a lot. The title was, “Can you stand to be blessed?” It was an eye-opening teaching on the burden behind the blessing.

Friend, every blessing comes with its own burden. While asking God for blessings, be prepared for the burden that the blessing brings (Matthew 20:20-23). This is why God often withholds or delays His blessings from manifesting in our lives; He’s checking if we can handle the burden.

“I have come to send fire on the earth… But I have a baptism to be baptized with…” (Luke 12:49-50). Success is not automatic. There is no ready-made miracle. There are no instantaneous breakthroughs. There is a burden that births the blessing and there is the burden that comes with the blessing. If you cannot handle the burden you cannot enjoy the blessing (Luke 12:49-50).

Glory is a weight; not too many people can stand to be blessed (2 Corinthians 4:17). The blessing has destroyed a lot of people than you can imagine. You need to get yourself ready for what you are asking. Blessing brings visibility. It exposes you to people and places. It makes you attractive to the devil. It reveals the state of your heart before God. It can make you vulnerable.

Blessing is an amplifier; it amplifies both your strength and weakness. If you are greedy, more money would not cure your greed, it would rather reveal and amplify it (1 Timothy 6:17-19). If you are unkempt, marriage would not make you tidy, it would amplify your dirt and irresponsibility. The demands of life only reveal your capacity. When God blesses you, you would work more. You would do more than you have been doing before (Luke 5:6-7).

As a businessman, you would have more clients to attend to. As a pastor, you would preach more, counsel more and have a lot of ministry issues to deal with. As a wife, you would have to respond to the demands of marriage; husband, family, in-laws etc (1 Corinthians 7:34). These are the burdens that come with the blessing. The burden itself is not a problem but it can be a problem if you do not handle it well.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria