LOOKING TO GOD TO MEET YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS
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Everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, our Creator. All are born with innate emotional needs given by Him. Our all-sufficient God is the only One who can truly meet these basic, innermost requisites for life. He places these needs within us so we will seek Him for complete fulfillment.
Unmet needs lead us to feel emotionally bereft, deprived of what is due us. When unfulfilled, they can adversely affect our emotional well-being and our spiritual walk. We tend to seek unhealthy ways of coping which can cause anxiety, stress and feelings of emptiness.
We may cope by looking to people in our lives to meet our emotional needs. Yet we cannot expect, nor is it possible, for any person to completely satisfy these innermost essentials. Imperfect people will disappoint us. For they are not meant to meet the needs that only a perfect God can fulfill.
Perhaps we cope by looking to the world to satisfy us… zealously pursuing success, wealth or recognition. These pursuits may gratify for a time, yet will come up empty in the end. Or we may seek to escape the pain and vulnerability of unmet needs through negative coping mechanisms like excessive screen time or substance use. Yet these are mere distractions that avoid the underlying emotional unhealth.
“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
God promises to meet all our needs abundantly. Yet this promise is only for believers, His saints living in unity with Him… based upon a personal, covenantal relationship with Jesus. For our God will provide for His children… in His divine grace, from His unending, infinite, heavenly source. We can trust His generous providence based on who He inherently is… His character, His nature. When we embrace His assurance of meeting our innermost needs, we can live a fulfilled life… a life of peace, purpose and joy.
7 Emotional Needs Perfectly Met by God — Psalm 139
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
◊ Affection
A need to be loved and cherished. When unmet, one feels unlovable… finding it difficult to give or receive love. Yet God is infinitely loving and compassionate. He cares deeply about you. His love for you is unconditional. You live in His favor. You are the apple of His eye… His treasure. Believe in His extravagant love for you.
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13
◊ Approval
A need to be affirmed and respected despite flaws, mistakes, failures. When unmet, one feels inferior, defensive, intolerant of others. Yet God is good and merciful. He sees your inherent goodness. He values you for who you are… who He created you to be. He gives you your identity as a child of the Most High. Trust that He holds you in the highest esteem.
“You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.” – Psalm 139:1-3
◊ Appreciation
A need to be validated and encouraged. When unmet, one lacks confidence and fears failure. Yet God is wise and omniscient. He understands you intimately. You are worthy in His eyes. You can share anything with Him. He empathizes with you. He celebrates you. Have faith that He is your most loyal fan, always seeking your best outcome.
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16
◊ Attention
A need to be recognized, to be special, significant. When unmet, one feels invisible, striving to perform to measure up. Yet God is sovereign and gracious. You are vastly important to Him. He recognizes how uniquely special you are. He understands your true potential. He gives meaning to your life and a purpose for living. Be certain that He sees you not as ordinary but extraordinary.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10
◊ Acceptance
A need to belong, to be connected, to be part of something greater. When unmet, one fears rejection and strives to try to please people. Yet God is faithful and unchanging. He chose you before you were born. You belong to Him forever. You are His child… a part of His kingdom family. He desires a covenantal relationship with you. Depend on Him never forsaking you, His chosen one.
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.” – Psalm 139:11-12
◊ Assurance
A need to be secure, protected. When unmet, one feels fearful, anxious, untrusting, with a need to control. Yet God is omnipotent and ever-present. He is your God of all comfort… always there for you. He is all-powerful. He is the One to whom you can run… the One who will keep you safe. He makes you brave. Find peace in the truth that He is your refuge from the storms of life.
“How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with You.” – Psalm 139:17-18
◊ Autonomy
A need to be free, to make one’s own choices. When unmet, one feels rebellious, defying authority. Yet God is just and holy. His thoughts are always on you. He gives you the choice to choose Him. He sets you apart as His own. He redeems you… delivering you from sin and death… making you blameless in His eyes. Have hope for the future that you are free in Him to become the child of God He created you to be.
† Eternal Takeaway: All our emotional needs are fulfilled perfectly by God †
