Needs
From our perspective, there is no one we can trust for insight, therefore we work hard to control our world, hoping to get our deepest needs met in our own strength. Many bad choices follow. Those choices leaves us with a heart that needs true transformation. For example, when you were a child, have you asked to your parent or those who raised you, “Do you love me?” You see, our needs are often stirred in the childhood that there is something we need deeper than the world can provide. We seek assurance that we are genuinely loved and accepted truly without condition. We have even stirred the “what-if” conversations. What if I was a worm, would you love me? If there is no solution offered, children, in this case, us, will push for answers and therefore, rely on ourselves for the answer to soothe our discomfort. Unfortunately, the world offers up many counterfeit propositions that will never bring lasting relief, but may ensnare us into beliefs and behaviors that will leave us hopeless, empty, and suffering from the consequences of our decisions. And anyone who try to control or withhold objects we associate with our well-being is guaranteed to meet strong resistance from us. This driving force behind our actions is the desire to medicate our emotional pain or find alternatives to drive deep discomfort of life we can control.
Perhaps, this may remind you of moments in your youth that drew you to look for answers from others. Did you experience times when there was something inside of you that ached for fulfillment? Was there a feeling that there was something missing inside of you? Maybe you felt foolish or ridiculed for sharing your heart. The problem with trying to control all the people and situations in our life is that ultimately nothing in this broken world can be controlled adequately to provide the assurance we need to be at peace. All the world will ever offer is unsatisfying, empty, medicating alternatives to peace, often accompanied by shame, emptiness and consequences. While we may find idols that seem to serve our purpose of creating a sense of peace, we will serve it as instruments. Trying to fill our needs with things of this broken world can quickly cause our lives to spin out of control.
perhaps, we struggle trusting and have resentment simply because we don’t know we are truly unconditionally loved, unconditionally accepted, valued as precious and there is a plan to make our lives significant. perhaps, we believe lies about ourselves that was spoken over us and there is resentment and bitterness in our hearts. May we reject the lies spoken over us and the misrepresentation of The Character of unconditional love, acceptance, and grace and mercy for love covers all.
