Do I want it or need it? - Weekly Devotional -week 6, 2006

Scripture: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." Phillipians 4:6

Application:

Isn't it difficult to distinguish between what we want and what we need? I find it hard to do that. We get caught in the trap of thinking that because our friend has something we don't that we need it also. In reality, that is something we want. We want many things but we really only need a few. What are the things that all of us no matter who we are, where we live, or how we live need? Air, food, shelter, and water are the main things that we need to survive. In addition, we desire to be loved, accepted, and connected with others. The first 4 things keep us alive while the others keep us emotionally alive. God desires the same things with you that you desire. He wants to be loved, accepted, and connected with others. He is longing for those things just as we are. God has given all of us all that we need. We can ask God to supply us the things we WANT but only He will decide if we truly NEED them. One situation that all of us have faced or will face is a failed relationship. For some of us it will happen when we are young, others later in life, and often more than once. For example, when I was in high school, I had a serious girl friend. We dated for about 4 years and talked about spending our life together and having a family. We both went off to different colleges and in time our relationship fell apart. I was devastated. I asked God over and over why He allowed this to happen to me. I asked for Him to convince her that she had made a bad decision. God knew what I needed and she was not it. I was mad at God over this for a while and then I met the one that God knew I needed. Shelley and I have been together now for over 17 years, and I thank God that He didn't answer those prayers so many years ago. Think about the things that you want, how many of those are things that you need?

Quote: "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers..." -Garth Brooks

Questions:

Think about the things that God has given you, have you thanked Him for them?

Prayer:

Write and say a prayer that acknowledges the needs that God has met in your life?