Only God Can Meet All Your Needs
By Rick Warren
"You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it." James 4:2 (NLT)
One of the biggest causes of quarreling in your family, with your friends, or at your work is that you expect people to fill needs in your life that only God can fulfill. This is often most obvious in marriage, but it’s true in every relationship. You find people you can trust and who know you well. So you start looking to them to keep you emotionally and spiritually fulfilled.
It’s common for people to get married and think their spouse should and will meet all their needs. After all, you complete each other, right? But that’s just unrealistic, unfair, and only setting you up for massive frustration? Your spouse is not God. Your best friend is not God. Your co-workers are not God. None of them know you like God does. None of them can provide for you like he can. They are broken human beings, just like you!
It’s time to change your expectations so your frustration doesn’t lead to more conflict and quarreling in your relationships.
So, what should you do instead of looking to someone else to fulfill every emotional, spiritual, and physical need you have? You should pray about it.
"You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it" (James 4:2 NLT).
When you expect other people to meet your needs instead of God, it leads to frustration. And frustration leads to quarreling. If you’re not praying and asking God to provide for your needs, then you’re going to spend more time quarreling. If you’re not praying about it, you're fighting over it. You don't have because you haven’t asked God for it!
If you have a need, don’t look first to your spouse or your friend to fill it. Go to God first. He already knows what you need, and he’s ready to give it to you. You just have to ask.
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Resolve to Live a Life of Greater Purpose in the Year Ahead!
This year’s been full of challenges and trials. And if you’re like most people, you’re just glad to be at the end of it!
But we want to help you move out of ‘survival mode’ and step into 2021 ready to live a life of greater significance and purpose by sending you a hardcover copy of Pastor Rick Warren’s classic book, The Purpose Driven Life.
One of the best-selling nonfiction books in history, this 42-day spiritual journey makes the perfect Christmas gift for anyone searching for purpose—and will help you or someone you know answer three of life’s most important questions:
• Why am I alive?
• Does my life matter?
• What on Earth am I here for?
One reader shared, “Your book has taught me who Jesus really is and what my purpose in this world is. To say it was a game changer is an understatement!”
The Purpose Driven Life is our way to thank you for your gift below to help share the certain hope of Jesus with more people through Daily Hope. Get yours when you give today!
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
