"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems life would be so much better if you had that.

There would be more happiness.

More contentment.

More fulfillment.

More satisfaction.

More peace.

We can envision ourselves with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn't God give us this longing of our heart?

Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him.

Ouch.

Not the answer we want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He's certainly able. But when He doesn't, it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.

It's easy to get down when we're constantly let down.

We hope this thing will happen - we'll meet this right person - we'll get this job - we'll finally be healed - we'll get that chance - we'll see that family member turn their life around. Time and again it doesn't happen. That's when it's easy to slip.

We can so easily slip into feeling a little distant from God because we feel hurt by God.

That's what happened when the man I thought I was going to marry told me he met someone else. That's what happened when I didn't get the job I was so certain was going to be the answer to all my financial problems. That's what happened when my son didn't get into the charter school we were so certain would have been perfect for him.

But, in each of these things, I eventually had to make a choice. I could either be consumed with my unmet longing or trust the plans of our loving God.

As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.

Not give up as in a discouraged surrender. But giving up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, "Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust."

The Scriptures and today's key verse promise He rewards those who honestly seek Him: "And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Sometimes I get so consumed with seeking my unmet longings, I don't earnestly seek Him. But then I miss out on His reward. And His reward is the only thing that will fill the void in my heart.

Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.

But not as much today as I did yesterday.

And that is good. Not easy. But good.

Dear Lord, I sacrifice chasing what I want so I might more fully, and with more focus, chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (NLT)

RELATED RESOURCES:

If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa TerKeurst's book Made to Crave is just what you need to replace your unmet desire with a longing for God. Get your copy today.

For more encouragement, visit Lysa's blog!

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What unmet longing do you need to let go of today?

Place this desire in the hand of God by declaring, "Lord, either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust."



 

© 2015 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.