“All my longings lie open before You, O Lord, my sighing is not hidden from you.” Ps. 39:9
God hard wired each of us with desires. Some of our desires are realized in this lifetime, but most are not. And it is at this time of year especially, many of us find ourselves struggling with unfulfilled longings.
- The loss of a job leaving minimal income for the bare necessities, much less Christmas gifts
- Loneliness and feelings of worthlessness (the “everyone has someone to love them but me” sentiment)
- Estranged relationships
- Physical and emotional suffering
What do we do with the unrealized desires within us? Here are a few suggestions:
- realize that we are not alone...the whole of creation has been groaning since Genesis 3. (Now, that’s A LOT of frustration and unfulfilled longing!)
- cling to the hope of Christ’s promises to us and His imminent return for us. (Rom. 8:18-32)
- discipline our minds to “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” and put on our “spiritual armor” (2 Cor.10:5; Eph.6:13-18)
- take our thoughts off ourselves, get out and start serving others (Mk. 12:31; 1Pet. 4:10)
- talk with a friend
- PRAY
God promises us that His eyes are on the righteous, His ears are attentive to their cry (as soon as He hears, He answers) and His angel encamps around those who fear Him to deliver them! (Ps. 34:7,15; Is. 30:19)
~We will always have unfulfilled yearning this side of eternal paradise. Think about it, if all of our deepest desires were attainable here and now, “this” would be heaven, ~~~and wouldn’t that be depressing!
We love you. Jesus IS the reason for this season!
Shaun and Betsy
