Author’s Note: I often write personal meditations regarding my relationship with God. I am adding this to my substack for no other reason than I want to. As with everything else, take the meat and leave the bone.
We have all been in relationships that have left us empty and disappointed. It seems that people continually drop the ball and let us down. This emptiness isn't limited to friends but also to close family and loved ones. Even long term relationships can leave a bitter trail of memories until finally we are left with a hole in our hearts unfilled.
Approval, self-worth, self-confidence, love, acceptance, understanding. We have all felt a lack of these and have been found wanting. So, we look for the things we desire in places we should not look. We engage in unhealthy relationships with unhealthy people to fill the hole. Yet, we are never fulfilled.
We have no one to tell us of their pride in us or to give us the encouragement to become better. We don't have anyone who loves us fully and without exception. And every one of us aches for more.
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again;
John 4:13
We literally hunger and thirst for more without any end to our need or misery. Satisfaction is not had and we emotionally starve.
So, we look to other things to fill the agonizing emptiness within us. For some it is the acquisition of possessions. We seek to impress those we do not even like and in most cases don't even truly know. For others it is addiction. We look to escape our own pain and emotional needs. In short, we look to all that is unhealthy which will leave us even more broken than we were before.
Einstein described a fool as someone who kept repeating their actions and expecting different results. Is there any difference between this and our revolving door of relationships? The answer lies not in forsaking all relationships. Humans are social creatures and we need that social interaction to have a well-balanced life. We should be looking to change who we have that one relationship that anchors us with. For when we are right with ourselves, all else seems to fall in place.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3: 1- 3
God is our Father and we His beloved children. Let God give you what other's cannot. Let His love fill the emptiness. You don't have to try to be the perfect child. But you can work at having the perfect relationship. Just as in anything in life, what you spend your energy on will be the thing that flourishes. So let Him fill the void that others are unable to even understand. Talk to Him not in prayer but in conversation. Hear the words of His love with every beat of your heart and with every breath. He is there.
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5b
God bless.
Thank you for this. I needed this reminder at this very time.
A blessing, and encouragement and a reminder. Thank you! Message received!