John, I appreciate your thoughts. Honestly, I think that you and I are on the same page, just perhaps looking at it from different sides.

I agree that blessings aren’t a thing that we “earn” like a paycheck, but I look at hardship much the same way. Effectively, as I see it, God is unconditionally loving, and unconditional love isn’t interested in passing judgment, because it doesn’t keep accounts. We “deserve” life’s goodness simply because we exist. In fact, perhaps that is even a large part of the reason why we are here: to enjoy life’s goodness. Because God’s love means that God experiences joy when we experience joy as well. At least that’s how I see it. ;)

Thank you again for your thoughtful response, and may God bless you too!