God bless you? Please note. I am not suggesting that you stop saying “God bless you.” I am just thinking about when to say it and the purpose for saying it. Some of us are compelled to say, “God bless you!” every time someone sneezes. I wonder if people who sneeze a lot are more blessed than people who are not sneezers. That would be a little unfair, don’t you think? But, maybe those who sneeze a lot need more blessing.
Please don’t get upset with me for my cogitation. I wonder if our blessings are given as a reflex action without actual prayerful intent. Is our fervent pronouncement a sincere wish for God’s blessings upon the sneezer or are we somehow fearful that failure to say “God bless you” will leave the sneezer unprotected or at a greater risk of more sneezing?
I think (I really do) that some people spew their “God bless you” at every sneeze because they are very spiritual people and their “God bless you” very powerful. If, however, their “God bless you” is only habitual, then are they not speaking God’s name without thought and perhaps in vain? If they fear that not saying “God bless you” might bring some condemnation from other Christians or even from God, then perhaps their “God bless you” is spoken more from superstition than from a heartfelt blessing.
If you are not yet angry at my perusing, let me offer one more thought. If we constantly and carelessly bless everything and anything, does our word of blessing lose some sincerity and true prayerful desire? How much meaning is attached to the word “bless” when we lift up our song and prayers to Almighty God and say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul! And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103).
Giving a blessing is something a child of God offers with great care and expectation. Pronouncing God’s blessings upon anyone or anything is a meaningful declaration. I am not suggesting that you stop saying, “God bless you.” I am calling attention to the need for thoughtfulness when we do it. If we say “God bless you” with a conscious desire to call upon God for His special touch and work in the life of the one upon whom we are directing our prayer, then may I sincerely say, “God bless you!”