The Big Lie, the Great Truth

FINDING FULFILLMENT,
Part 4

We’ve been talking about our longings and our realities. The world offers us myriad ways to “find satisfaction.” But are we being fed a bill of goods? And are we buying into it? Believing the Big Lie?

THE BIG LIE

Our culture tells us that we can, and should, feel completely loved and have all of our emotional needs met—and that the right man is the solution. Maybe that’s why we see so many high-profile women jumping from marriage to marriage, or relationship to relationship: they’re simply searching for that “perfect man”—one who will make them feel the way they want to feel.

But that’s the Big Lie—the lie of the world, the lie of our old fallen nature, and the lie of the enemy.

The world tells us to act on our feelings, regardless of morality or consequences. Our old nature wants us to live to please ourselves, to do whatever it takes to “feel good.” When we’re tempted to indulge in thoughts or actions which make us feel better or mask our discomfort, the enemy whispers, “Go ahead! It’s no big deal!” Of course, once we confront our sin with remorse, he then tells us our decision is unforgivable.

THE INCREDIBLE TRUTH

The only way we can escape The Big Lie is to focus on God’s Incredible Truth!

No mere man—regardless of how wonderful he may be—can meet all of our needs, yours and mine. Only God can fill our empty, yearning places inside. Only He can make us feel whole. Only His love can make us feel adored and cherished the way we really, really want to be adored and cherished.

Chasing fantasies and fairy tale endings will provide, at best, temporary relief from our dissatisfaction and malaise. Too often we resort to what the world has to offer—tantalizing movies, books, internet relationships, flirtation, fantasy, and playing “what-if” scenarios in our heads. It’s easy to rationalize feel-good pastimes as harmless and to minimize their consequences.

The outcome is feeling even needier and more dissatisfied than before.

Bottom line, if we’re looking to anything or anyone but God to feel good about ourselves, we’re not going to experience God’s best for our lives.

That, of course, leads to the big question: So, what am I supposed to do when I’m feeling hurt, unloved, alone, needy, undervalued, or tempted?

(You can find more in-depth discussions, answers, and worksheets in Dee’s book, The Divine Romance—Going to God with the Longings Only He Can Fulfill.)

Next Time: Three Godly and Practical Ways to Deal with Our Unmet Needs

What do you think?

Do you believe a really great guy can meet all your needs?

Why is it tempting to chase what the world offers?