I often find myself wrestling with the idea of being needy. Growing up, I internalized the false belief that my needs were a burden. Leading me to reject and ignore them until they became invisible even to myself. However, the Holy Spirit has revealed a profound truth: we are all needy, and that’s perfectly okay. God understands this fundamental aspect of our humanity and invites us to embrace it. Accepting my neediness, and recognizing my constant dependence on God, isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather, it’s my greatest strength.

The Strength in Acknowledging Our Need for God

It’s a transformative realization that acknowledging our inherent neediness and our constant reliance on God is, in fact, our greatest strength. The enemy frequently employs tactics during our formative years to sow seeds of trauma, thereby separating us from God and the truth. Conversely, shifting into a healthy environment, with a clear understanding that we are needy beings who require God’s presence every moment, provides us with immense strength.

Neediness Handled Properly: A Link to God’s Presence

While understanding our neediness and our dependence on God is crucial, it’s equally important that this understanding is handled properly. When approached with the right perspective, our neediness becomes a powerful link to God’s presence. However, there are pitfalls we must be vigilant about:

• Self-Pity: An excessive, self-absorbed focus on one’s own troubles. As Abigail Dodds insightfully notes, “The sin in self-pity is that we assess ourselves and our circumstances as though God is not our gracious Father“.
• Self-Preoccupation: An excessive focus on oneself. Jon Bloom wisely stated, “The state of your soul depends on what occupies your mind. If it is self, forget peace and contentment“.
• Giving Up: Ceasing to make an effort and resigning oneself to failure. Ryan Chase mentioned that “trials commonly make people increasingly bitter, despondent, impatient, envious, or angry, which can lead to giving up if we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus”.

Navigating Inadequacy: Dependence on God vs. Despair

Our sense of inadequacy presents us with a continuous choice: deep dependence on God, or despair. Recognizing our sinful nature and inherent neediness can trigger past traumas, leading to dysregulation and dissociation. Without proper preparation, we can easily succumb to these hidden traps.

Preparation involves understanding these potential pitfalls, recognizing their signs, and developing a prepared response. By doing so, we can avoid falling into despair or a trauma state. Instead, with a healthy response, we can cultivate a deep and abiding dependence on God.

Filling the Emptiness with God’s Presence

The emptiness we feel within will be filled either with problems or with God’s presence. While I may not personally identify with the concept of emptiness, I often sense that something is amiss within me, something that needs fixing. This feeling of inadequacy can consume my thoughts and time, crowding out God’s presence.

To counteract this, I must consciously make God the center of my awareness by praying continually. Offering simple, short prayers that flow from the present moment. I’ve often believed that my prayers needed to be perfect or lengthy to be acceptable, but now I understand that the time to seek Him wholeheartedly is now, in every moment.

Using God’s Name Liberally

Using His name frequently throughout the day serves as a constant reminder of His presence. Unlike human parents, the Lord never tires or abandons us. By praying continually, I can maintain a constant awareness of His presence.

Asking and Receiving

Continue to ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete. This encouragement from John 16:24 invites us to ask God in Jesus’ name, trusting that we will receive. While it has often been a struggle for me to even ask, I am learning that He has good plans for me and desires for me to experience joy, peace, and an abundant life.

Conclusion: A Prayer of Expectant Faith

So, as we approach the future with expectant faith, let us release our grip on the illusion of self-sufficiency and embrace the beautiful truth of our neediness. Let us turn our faces toward the One who delights in meeting our needs, who stands ready to fill every void with His love, grace, and mercy. May we rest in the assurance that in our weakness, He is strong, and in our brokenness, He makes us whole. May His presence permeate every aspect of our lives, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us to live in accordance with His perfect will.

Let’s pray:

Lord, fill us with your Spirit. Overwhelm us with your love, grace, and mercy. Produce good fruit out of us, that it would be honoring to you, that it would be glorifying and magnifying you Lord. Only with your help is this possible.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

If the reflection on embracing neediness resonated with you, here are three different articles from the website that you may also find encouraging and insightful:

• For those struggling with trauma and seeking healing: Explore “Overcome Depersonalization“. This article may provide guidance and understanding if you are seeking resources related to trauma recovery and mental health.
• For those seeking to deepen their relationship with God: Consider reading “Beyond Ritual: Cultivating a Genuine Relationship with God“. This article could help you connect with the core theme of building a genuine and intimate relationship with God.
• For those looking for strength in times of adversity: Read “2 Chronicles 15:7 – Finding Strength in the Midst of Trials“. This article might offer encouragement and spiritual lessons, aligning with our mission to provide resources for spiritual growth and emotional healing.

References

• Jesus Calling: 365 by Sarah Young – https://www.jesuscalling.com/
• Abigail Dodds, “Woe Is Me“
• Jon Bloom, “Lay Aside the Weight of Self-Preoccupation“
• Ryan Chase, “When You’re Tempted to Give Up“