Blessed...

I've been thinking a lot about how we use this word. "We" as in our culture, generation...me, my family. After those horrific tornadoes came through Alabama and Georgia, I started reading things people put on Facebook about how "blessed" they were that the storms didn't hit their house or their town. That made me think...so by saying this, are we thinking that those people whose houses/towns did get hit with those horrible tornadoes are not blessed, or not as blessed as we are? I said this to Tony, and he said...well, we all deserve hell, so anything above that is a blessing! So true, but also makes me think what do you say when something horrific happens to someone and you are spared? Then I started thinking of those great verses in Matthew 5...
Jesus said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.