It’s true that all good gifts come from God, and we should thank God for the material blessings and earthly relationships we enjoy. (James 1:17) But true and lasting joy comes from those gifts that are eternal and will never be taken away. Our greatest blessing is God Himself. We rejoice in Him: who He is and what He has done. So even though bad things might happen, like my family taken away from me due to illness or accident, I lose my ability to teach or work or my children grows wayward or rebellious, yet I will rejoice in the Lord because my salvation in secured in Jesus Christ.