To be happy is my heart’s desire, and if I had a new or bigger house, that would be it! If I had a new or better car, if I could pay all of my bills, that would be it. That would be it if I got a promotion or a new job! If I could speak or write like him or her, that would be it!
Do you ever have thoughts like these? I used to!
The “ifs” would continue because each time I achieved, I would be happy for a while, but then discontentment and complaining would surface. That’s how our mind and heart work when our desires come from outside influences.
A desire can be described as “a longing, a craving, an urge, a burning desire, or a yearning ambition to achieve something.”
UNHEALTHY DESIRES
These desires begin in our minds, with our thoughts.
What we see, feel, hear, or experience can give us undesirable influences which can work their way into our hearts, the part of us that controls our desires.
HEALTHY DESIRES
These desires come from a revived mind and Heart of God.
What we see, feel, hear, or experience must be perceived and examined through the Eyes of God to have gratifying and lasting desires.
“Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” (Rom. 12:2)
GOD INITIATED DESIRES
Whether or not we may have a relationship with God, at some time or another, we all have heard and probably memorized a particular part of a scripture verse that says, “And He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4) I remember running with it secured to my feet, heart, and soul!
But as we know, an incomplete, wrong, or lack of understanding of something can lead to frustration; that’s how it was for me with only that part of the scripture embedded in me. Here is the complete scripture, which includes several highlighted keywords.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; Live in the land and Cultivate (feed on) faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” (Ps. 37:3-5)
How many of you know it helps to read scripture and understand it correctly? It’s interesting because not only had I not read the entire scripture passage for myself, I repeated what I heard. And I only heard, “He will give you the desires of your heart.” When you say that and believe that, it’s like saying, God is my genie. So whatever I want, He’ll give it to me!
“Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.” (Prov 4:7)
PERSPECTIVE
God Is Committed To Fulfilling His Desires For Us
Having your heart’s desires is a God idea! But sometimes, our desires are twisted, entangled by selfishness and wrong motives. They happen when we don’t come to Him in prayer first. I’m a witness that coming to Him at the beginning of that desire saves time, energy, work, and heartache!
Coming to God first helps us with the “why” of a desire. I have found that knowing and understanding my motives at the start are better than asking, “God why,” at the end of an unfulfilling desire. God wants our minds and heart to be in harmony with His. He wants to refine our minds and hearts by placing His desires in us.
Note: Anytime we place “if” with “desire,” it becomes an uncertainty, and we risk having that desire fulfilled.
Writing blogs is still challenging for me. I’m much more comfortable writing in my journal, where only “my eyes” see what’s written. But my compelling desire to please God is more vital than my uncomfortableness of stepping out in faith into something new. My pleasing God this season is sharing my heart and thoughts with you.
With Prayer, Here are Five KEYwords to Help Identify God’s Desires In You:
- Trust in Him
- Cultivate feed on His Faithfulness
- Delight in Him
- Commit to Him
- Trust Him to do it
(Ps. 37:3-5)
I’m still learning and making errors along the way, but I love doing the Will of God for my life because of the undefinable Peace that comes from it, and His outcome is always fulfilling. Pleasing Him is what makes and keeps me happy!
Thank you for journaling with me. I hope you are encouraged to keep looking UP so your God-given desires are fulfilled!
Sincerely,
Jacqui
