Looking for answers in all the wrong places.

I find myself surrounded by people that are looking for answers to their problems in all the wrong places.  I am included in this group from time to time.  We look to alcohol to cover up our sadness, only to wake up the next day just as sad as we were the night before.  And - now we feel a little sick.  We are looking for love like crazy and want it no matter what the cost.  This might mean an affair or just being with completely the wrong person because they're available at the moment.  We turn to food because all of our life it's been a constant.  Food has never let us down.  It's always good and always available thanks to the many fast food places around these days.  We turn to people to make us happy.  We think their affirmation will satisfy whatever void we are trying to fill.  We crave attention and acceptance.    We're not satisfied with what we have or have been given.  We want more.  We never have enough.  We are always searching.  Always.


I say "we" because all of us have been there at one time or another.  The sad thing is I already have what I need.  I already have what I was searching for.  I just choose to ignore Him a lot of the time.  I don't listen to that still small voice living inside of me.  I still turn to food to satisfy me.  And - let me tell you that satisfaction is fleeting.  It's not permanent.  Jesus Christ is the only One that can completely satisfy us.  He's the only One that can fill that void we are trying to fill.  In Him is our satisfaction.  In Him we will find everything we need.  We will find every answer we've been searching for.  He is what we're longing for...even if we don't realize it.


He is our rest.  "Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28  


He is our peace.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7


He is our comfort.  "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:4-6  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4


He is our salvation.  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  John 3:17  "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'"  John 4:13-14    "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come unto judgement, but has passed from death into life."  John 5:24


He is more than enough.  I want to LIVE this out in my life.  I want to be totally and completely satisfied with Christ.  He is all I need.  I want that to be evident in the life that I lead.  I'm not searching anymore.  I've found what I'm looking for and He's amazing.  He's everything I've ever dreamed of.  He loves me just the way I am.  He thinks I'm beautiful.  He wants me.  I can contact Him 20 million times a day and He won't care.  He always answers when I call.  He loves it when I laugh and He doesn't freak out when I cry.  He holds me as long as I need Him to.  He wants me....all of me.  He doesn't mind the baggage.  He's not afraid of my emotions.  He knows everything about me and He still chooses to love me.  He chose me.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that He could love me that much.  He died for me.  He died for me.  Jesus Christ died for me.  Can you believe that He chose to die for me?!  And - now He lives!  He's alive.  He's alive!  MY JESUS IS ALIVE!  Didn't I tell you He was amazing?!  I truly do serve a MIGHTY GOD.


I'm a lucky woman.  Blessed.  Saved.  Happy.  JOYOUS!


Until next time...
James