How to Handle Being Unsatisfied

Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

Ecclesiastes 1:8

We are fortunate.  We live in a time and in a place where, for the most part, we have the most basic of our needs met.  In fact, I'd dare to say that we not only have our basic needs met, but that even most who are in the lowest of economic situations have abundantly more than the majority of peoples around the world.  Sure, I know that there are those in our country who are homeless, starving, and truly suffering.  However, compared to the rest of the world, Americans overall are extremely fortunate. 

So then why is it we, who live in the land of plenty, are unsatisfied?  Do you know what the basic operating principal companies use when they market their products?  They operate on the assumption that the average American is UNSATISFIED.  Their job is easy.  All they have to do to sell their product is to show you how it will SATISFY you, the consumer, AND...how nothing else in THIS WORLD could ever come close to satifying you like their product could.  (So, the next time a telemarketer calls, tell them you are SATISFIED and have no use for their product.  They won't know how to answer that one.  Got this little tidbit from a Crown Finincial Moment on KLOVE.)

Our culture breeds us to be unsatisfied.  Dissatisfaction is in our DNA.  That's why we must have the latest, greatest gadgets.  That's why we have to update our wardrobe every single season.  That's why our kids want the newest, coolest toys that are advertised on T.V.  That's why we add on the pounds. That's why nothing can hold our attention for very long. That's why the candy and soft drinks are so conveniently located in the check out line at the store.  (My personal weakness.)  That's why relationships and marriages sometimes fall apart.  That's why we get ourselves up to our eyeballs in debt.  That's why some have addiction problems.  That's why we search all kinds of strange and exotic places for God.  That's why satisfaction eludes us.

We must be careful on how we deal with our dissatisfaction!  When we are unsatisfied with our lives and all that we've been given, we are essentially saying to God what He has provided isn't good enough.  Our dissatisfaction is, in essence, a complaint against God!    A child who is spoiled doesn't appreciate all that he's been given.  He becomes unsatisfied and bored. Though granted every whim and desire, he complains.  We are no different from a spoiled child when we are dissatisfied with God's provision and blessings. 

On the other hand, sometimes dissatisfaction with certain areas of our lives can lead to good, if we approach it the right way.  For example, dissatisfaction in our spiritual lives could lead us to seek God more - to journey deeper with Him.  Dissatisfaction in a relationship, when handled correctly, could lead us into talking with the person and trying to work together to resolve problems and reconcile the relationship.  Handling dissatisfaction in a godly, Biblical way not only helps us, but it can help others as well.

One way to counteract dissatisfaction is to be thankful.  Make it a point everyday to thank God for EVERYTHING you have and EVERYONE you love.  Write it down if you have to.  Then ask Him to help you be satisfied with His provision and in your circumstances.  Ask for His wisdom in dealing with those areas in which you are unsatisfied.  And remember, true satisfaction and contentment is ONLY found in Him!

"After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content."  1 Timothy 6:7-8



Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

Who is Your God?

The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist."  Psalm 14:1

Some people know God.  Some people don't want to know God.  Some believe He exists.  Some do not.  And yet of those who seek after Him, some are seeking after the God they have fashioned in their own mind.  They go through life oblivious, not knowing that this God who fits so nicely in their lives is not the one true God.  You can imagine their shock when their path brings them face-to-face with God Himself - who knows them so very intimately and personally.  Imagine their surprise when the real God of creation reveals Himself and He is nothing like the nice little, controllable God they envisioned Him to be.

God is real.  Jesus Christ is real.  The Holy Spirit is real.  God is there, whether we believe in Him or not.  Just because I don't believe in income taxes doesn't mean they don't exist and I don't have to pay them.  God is who He is, no matter how we try to define Him or think He should be.  And when we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him.  So why are we so shocked when we actually do find the real God?  Why are we so shocked when He reveals Himself to us?  And then why do we pull away from Him when He is revealed? Is it because we thought we desired a relationship with the God we fashioned for ourselves, but when the real God showed up, it was far more than we bargained for? Is it because the God of our minds didn't hold us accountable, but HE does? Is it because we've not wholly followed Him in obedience and to do so now would just be asking too much?  We are like a child whose curiousity of fire causes him to reach out to touch the flame.  He desires to know more about this wonder but the minute his little hand reaches out and feels the heat, he quickly draws it back. 

I came across this quote by C.S. Lewis in my daily devotions this morning.  He so eloquently explains the hesitation many people experience when they meet God face-to-face.

" The Panthiest's God does nothing, demands nothing.  He is there if you wish for Him, like a book on a shelf.  he will not pursue you.  There is no danger that at anytime heaven and earth should feel awe at His glance.  but Christ the Creator King is there.  And His intervening presence is terribly startling to discover."  C.S. Lewis 

Are you serving a bookshelf God...one who is there for you when he fits into your life and put away when he doesn't?  Does this God you've designed in your head demand anything of you?  Does he demand all of you?  Does he command all creation, heaven, and earth? If the answer is 'no,' to any of these questions perhaps you need to examine who your God is.  For the ONE, TRUE God is not subject to my ideas and opinions on what I think He should be.  He's there ALWAYS, whether I acknowlege Him or not - whether it's convenient for me or not.  He demands all of me.  He permeates every area of my life - and when I hold out on Him - He confronts, convicts, and disciplines me.  He intervenes on my behalf - giving the VERY LIFE of HIS ONE AND ONLY SON in payment for my sin!  He's not a God of convenience.  He's not a God who changes with the wind.  He is not a God who is here today and gone tomorrow.  He is constant, never changing, and ALWAYS THERE!

C.S. Lewis goes on to say that, "There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him! We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He has found us? So it is a sort of Rubicon. One goes across, or not. But if one does, there is no manner of security against miracles. One may be in for anything."

So, do you want a God who is personal and sometimes shocks the socks off of you?  Or do you want a god of convenience - one who fits into your life nicely without causing any bumps in the road.  The One True God leads to salvation and life.  Our man-made god does not.  It's our choice.  Choose this day who you serve?  Me?  I chose the God of miracles.  I want to be in for anything!

My God is real, personal, and doesn't play by my rules!  Thank goodness!  What about yours?

Grace and peace, friends!    
In His Love, Cathy

A Day of Rest

Taking a day of rest today.  This family needs it very much right now. 

The Brittster is sick...missed her game today.  A first in her high school career- to miss a game that is.  She was so worried about letting her team down.  They played really well, from what we heard.  The game was close - but they ended up losing.  She was sad about it.  She so wanted to be there with her team mates.  It's their third loss this season - but they've won 14.  PTL!!!  Hoping her day turns around and she is able to get to feeling better!   

Scott and I are taking the day to recouperate from a very busy week.  My 1st semester with NO PLANNING is OVER!!!  Honestly, I feel exhausted to the core...like I just finished running a marathon!  But, praise God, He helped me get through it.  One more week of basketball left and then, hopefully, we as a family can have a little down time - at least until spring soccer starts for the Mikester!

Yep, I'm thankful for this day of rest.  I had wanted to tackle cleaning my house and getting the week's mess back under control again.  But, you know what, a day of complete rest doesn't come around that often.  So, I think I'll just wallow in my PJ's the rest of the day.  Dishes are clean, clothes are folded, so what's the hurry? 

Well, enough of my ramblings.  Hope you all enjoy a wonderful day of rest and time with your family's as well.  God loves you - and  - He loves even YOU, neighbor's kid who keeps blasting your car stereo while I'm trying to get my rest on! Give it a rest already!
Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

When Our World Comes Crashing Down

The Lord was determined

to destroy the walls of beautiful Jerusalem.

He made careful plans for their destruction,

then did what he had planned.

Therefore, the ramparts and walls

have fallen down before him.

Jerusalem's gates have sunk into the ground.

He has smashed their locks and bars.

Here kings and princes have been exiled to distant lands;

her law has ceased to exist.

Her prophets receive

no more visions from the Lord.

The leaders of beautiful Jerusalem

sit on the ground in silence.

They are clothed in burlap

and throw dust on their heads.

The young women of Jerusalem

hang their heads in shame.

Lamentations 2:6-10

Jeremiah summarizes just how utterly complete the Lord's destruction of Jerusalem was.  God's destruction was not only complete, it was carefully planned.  Every single building that the people of Judah held dear was torn down to the ground.  God spared nothing in Jerusalem from destruction.  In Lamentations 2, Jeremiah describes the destruction further, "Without mercy the Lord has destroyed every home in Israel.  In His anger he has broken down the fortress walls of beautiful Jerusalem.  He has brought them to the ground." (v. 2)..."He has destroyed her palaces and demolished her fortresses"(v. 5). "He has broken down his Temple as though it were merely a garden shelter."(v.6)

Now imagine every single building where you live utterly destroyed down to the ground - every single home, every single church, every single business - gone.  God didn't even spare His own Holy Temple from this destruction.  All of the visual symbols of safety, protection, and leadership were snatched right out from under the people of Judah.  Nothing was untouched by this destruction.  Every single leader in Jerusalem - from the king, to his sons, to the priests, government officers, and high ranking officers in the army were taken prisoner.  All were killed except King Zedekiah.  He was forced to watch as the Babylonians killed all of  his sons, the leaders, and the priests.  Then the Babylonians gouged out his eyes and he lived out the remainder of his life as a prisoner.  Many of the people of Judah were taken as prisoners back to Babylon.  Only the poorest of the land remained.  Harsh, huh?

God completely removed His hand of protection from Jerusalem.  The Babylonian army was His tool of judgement against His own chosen people.  And why?  Because they had rebelled against Him. He had warned them for generations what would happen if they ever turned from Him.  He had given them ample time and many opportunities to repent.  He knew it would come to this, yet they persisted down the path of destruction, worshipping false gods and living only for themselves.  They INSISTED on having THEIR WAY!  They falsely believe that because they were God's chosen people and because Jerusalem was God's Holy City, the city that housed His Temple, they were guaranteed God's protection. They took God for granted! 

As you read Lamentations, you get a picture of just how horrid the seige and destruction of Jerusalem was.  Did God take delight in any of this?  Of course not.  But it was the only way to save His people.  They had gone too far.  He took away everything that they had loved and valued more than Him.  The only way to save them was for them to hit rock bottom - to see the error of their ways and repent.  In the midst of all of this destruction, there was a promise of hope.

After a time, God brought about circumstances so that the Jewish people would eventually return to Jerusalem - in phases.  The walls of the city were rebuilt, then the Temple was rebuilt, though not as grand as it had been in the past.  The important thing is this, it wasn't until the Jewish people repented and began to earnestly seek God did these things come about.  God had promised this.  Jeremiah had prophesied this.  And when Jerusalem was rebuilt, it was rebuilt the right way - by a people who sought God obediently and wholeheartedly. 

Sometimes, it may seem that God is dealing with us harshly.  Sometimes, we experience bad things because we live in a fallen world and that's just the way it is.  But sometimes...God has to bring our world completely crashing down in order to save us. 

If this describes a place where you are at, simply ask for His forgiveness and turn to Christ.  He promises to, "restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away—all the souls I have made."  Isaiah 57:15-16

In His Love, Cathy

The Priority of Right Worship

"The Lord has rejected his own altar;

he despises is own sanctuary.

He has given Jerusalem's palaces

to her enemies.

They shout in the Lord's Temple

as though it were a day of celebration."

Lamentations 2:7

In this passage, Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem.  God had told Jeremiah of the impending destruction if the people did not repent.  Jeremiah warned the people, yet they did not turn from their ways.  Therefore God's judgement fell full force upon Jerusalem.  God's judgement was so complete that He didn't even spare His own Temple - the very Temple that Solomon had built -that's how much contempt God had towards the rampant sin of the people. 

God judged the people of Judah because they ignored God's warnings and refused to repent.  They believed that they would always be safe because God's House, His Temple, was there among them.  They foolishly thought their lives would continue to go on just as they always had.  Never in a million years did they think God would allow foreigners destroy His Temple.  However, God hated their sins.  This was His chosen people...the people who were to be a testimony and witness in the world for HIM!  They had been set apart by Him - not by their own doing.  The people worshipped idols and sin ran rampant.  Even the priesthood - the very people God chose to serve Him in the Temple and represent Him among the people - had decayed.

Therefore, God detested their burnt offerings.  Their worship was a far cry from what He desired and commanded of them.  Despite the beautiful Temple and the rituals they practiced, their hearts were far from God.  Their lives didn't reflect what they proclaimed in their Temple worship.  It was all a sham.  So God sent the Babylonian army to destroy Jerusalem - and His Temple.  Stone by stone, the Temple, the Palace, and the walls of Jerusalem were torn completely down.  There was no building left standing.  The Temple was plundered by the Babylonians, it's treasures used in the service of God were carried off. 

Like the people of Judah, we may attend church every week - singing worship songs, bowing our head when someone prays, listening to the pastor, and even giving back to God.  However, if we aren't living out in our daily lives, what we proclaim on Sundays, then we are no better than the people of Judah! 

Does your life truly reflect what you proclaim to believe on Sunday mornings?  Can people see Christ in your daily life?  Are you worshipping God with your whole heart - with your whole life?  Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that you love the Lord with all of your heart, with all of your mind, and with all of your soul? 

The people of Judah became complacent and laxidaxical in their worship.  They took God for granted.  And if they, His chosen people who witnessed His miracles, took Him for granted, then we can do so just as easily. 

If you feel that you've just been going through the motions but you desire more of Him, simply ask. The beauty of our Lord and God is that when we truly seek Him, He is there.  Ask Him to renew your love and your devotion to Him.  Worship Him wholeheartedly!

Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Quote of the Day

"When people place highest value in Jesus, not possessions, they gain a life of hope. Hope without end. I can collect everything money can buy, but if I have no hope, I have nothing of value."  -Shari Braendel, "Richer or Poorer", Proverbs 31 Ministries


Money is nothing.  Christ is everything!  What about you?  What do you place of highest value?

One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)



Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy