The Gutsy Girl’s Guide to PrayerSample

The God Who Satisfies

The world uses countless distractions to lure us away from God. So many things are designed to steal our attention and keep us looking for hope in all the wrong places. This world has a way of making sin look good and necessary. And it offers solutions that do little, if anything, to nurture the hearts of believers.

The truth is that we will never find real satisfaction from a counterfeit savior. But we certainly try. To be clear, nothing is wrong with enjoying this life. Money in and of itself isn’t bad. Spending your resources on a fun vacation with family and friends is about bonding. Outfitting your college student’s dorm room is a way to show that you care. A trip to the salon isn’t an act of selfishness because buying what you need or want isn’t wrong or bad. And even splurging from time to time won’t land you in a divine time-out.

But when we love money more than we love God, and when we look to it to settle an anxious heart, we’re crossing a line. Why? Because that’s what the Lord offers to do for us, and He is a jealous God. More than anything else, we’re to look to Him as our provider. Rather than depending on anything this world offers, we should be seeking satisfaction in His presence alone. Peace, contentment, and comfort come from the Lord, not from retail therapy or from anything money can buy. It takes guts to overlook earthly treasures and store up ones in heaven instead.

Be intentional as you pray, asking God to keep your eyes focused on Him. Pray earnestly and unceasingly. Share your struggles with authenticity. And do your part by consistently bringing your heart back into alignment with His. Keep a tight rein on what you crave, always turning those longings back to the one who can satisfy.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess the times I've asked the world to help me feel better. I've invested time and treasure there, hoping to reach a certain level of comfort and ease. But I know you are the only one who can meet my every need in the right way. In Jesus' name. Amen.