SATISFIED

The more I speak with my friends and take an honest look at my own life, the more I wonder if we dive into things like gossip, sexual relationships, getting drunk or picking on the weird kids at school just as a way to mask our own pain and insecurities. We look to these things as easy ways to fill the emptiness we sometimes feel.

Whatever we try to fill our lives with, it never gives us the peace or fulfilment we’re looking for. We often end up feeling emptier than we started. It may be hard to understand how the Bible can bring real satisfaction to our

lives when the world around us is screaming that we need sex, money, Instagram followers and fame to feel complete. But it’s only when we spend time with God and put our confidence in Him and the Bible that we can know a peace “which transcends all understanding” (PHILIPPIANS 4:7) and a satisfaction that isn’t reliant on how well life is going (VV.11-13).

In Psalm 119, the psalm writer—who went through bullying, hunger, loneliness and all sorts of suffering—says that true encouragement and sturdy hope is found in the Bible. There’s so much to be gained from the “wonderful things” His words teach us (PSALM 119:18).

Try to prioritise spending time with God. Turn to the Bible and allow yourself the space to read and reflect on the things it teaches. Only there will you find the peace and satisfaction you are looking for ourselves!

Thinking it over . . .

Follow the psalm writer’s example this week and ask God to: help you understand His instructions (PSALM 119:130); give you a desire to read the Bible (V.131); keep you safe from temptation (V.133); help you obey what the Bible teaches (V.134); feel the Holy Spirit’s sadness and conviction when you go against God’s ways (V.136); and trust that everything He says is good and trustworthy (V.138).