What do you need right now?

Maybe a need comes to mind immediately. On the other hand, maybe you can’t think of anything. You’re one of those folks who would rather stick needles in your eye, than be labeled “needy”. Me, too.

But there’s a difference between being a needy person and being a person with a need. A needy person is like a cup with a leak. No matter how much others pour in, it’s never enough.

In contrast, a person with a need is a like cup near empty. Except when others pour in, their cup gets filled.

Every one of us has a need. So, I ask again: what do you need right now?

Is it wisdom? Comfort? Direction? Help? Friendship? Love? Purpose? Hope? Rest? Provision?

See. You have a need. We all do. And that’s not a bad thing.

Because a need is a gateway to God.

Several years back I faced a real need; one I had no real control over meeting myself. Some days I didn’t handle it so well.

I prayed.

But then I worried.

I prayed some more. Then I worried some more. And although I never meant to doubt God’s goodness, I started to wonder whether God heard, or saw, or cared. It was a vicious cycle that brought me little peace.

As a result, my need didn’t feel like a gateway to God; it felt more like a doorway to discouragement.

Then I read eight of the sweetest words found in the Bible. Jesus spoke these words to people whose days were filled with endless to-dos, and whose minds swirled with endless what ifs?

Jesus spoke these words to people like me and you.

These are the eight words Jesus said right before He taught how to pray:

…your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. (Matthew 6:32)

And here’s where it gets personal: The need you have today? Your heavenly Father already knows. 

The prayer you’ve whispered about your need? Your heavenly Father already knows.

The worry that worms its way into your waking hours, and the concern that keeps you awake at night? Your heavenly Father already knows. 

Let those words wash over you. Let them bring comfort. Let them stir confidence. Let them inspire you to pray differently-free from worry, and full of hope.

Your Father

Already knows

All your needs.

But…this may raise a question: If God knows my need right now, why doesn’t He do something about it right now?

Here are three things to remember about needs:

1. There are presenting needs and real needs (and they’re not always the same)

In our humanness, it’s easy to focus on a presenting need and miss a real need. If we overlook a real need, we get caught off guard when God deals with an internal issue before He addresses an external issue.

When four friends hoisted their paralyzed friend onto a mat and brought him to Jesus, the obvious presenting need was healing. However, Jesus looked at him and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).  No doubt his friends thought, Wait, that’s not why we brought him to you! We want you to heal his legs! 

Do you, or does a loved one, have a presenting need God hasn’t met? Look beyond the obvious. God might be healing a real internal need before He addresses the presenting external need.

2.  God cares about all our needs

God cares for us as whole people. God doesn’t just care about our spiritual needs (although He certainly does that!). God also cares about our physical needs, our emotional needs, our financial needs, and every other need, too.

God cares for you, and everything that concerns you.

Pause to wrap your mind around this truth. Not only does God already know, God also always cares.

That’s why Peter wrote, “cast all your anxieties upon God, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

This is also why, after Jesus forgave the paralytics sins, He healed his paralyzed legs.

3.  God often uses people to meet our needs

The paralytic’s need for forgiveness and healing would never have been met if it weren’t for the actions of his friends. The man with a need had friends with faith.

And that made all the difference.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)

Do you have friends with faith?  You need them.

And for those of us with faith, let’s show it by helping a friend in need.

[bctt tweet=”Faith is seen when one person’s deed meets another person’s need.” username=””]

4. Our needs are only truly met in Christ

A need is a gateway to God primarily because our needs remind us how much we need Him. Frankly, we need our needs. Needs drive us to God in a way sufficiency never does.

[bctt tweet=”When a need drives us to God, we find what we’ve needed all along. Namely, Him.” username=””]

God know your needs.

God cares about your needs.

God promises to meet your needs.

Rest in it.

You are seen, you are known, and you are loved.

Donna