“Blessing” refers to the special favor and goodness of God on someone or something. Some Bible translations use the word “happy” instead of “blessing.” Jesus taught an eight-part list of those who are specially blessed and receive special happiness from God. What’s so interesting is that the blessings are on those who wouldn’t seem happy at all. Here we are taught that God gives particular favor when we are in particular distress but also that there are blessings in our worst of circumstances.