Gifted

I can be stubbornly obstinate and needy all at the same time and it’s infuriating! Why is it so hard to ask for help when I truly need it? I am a giver, a fixer, and a pleaser by nature but sometimes the well is depleted and there’s a vacuum longing to be filled. Then what? Why is it so much easier to spot the needs of others than to acknowledge my own? I am needy, but I have a great Savior who supplies every need.

His word tells me, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6) Still, acknowledging my need to God is sometimes difficult.

He has so richly blessed me all my life that it feels selfish to ask for anything more. Beyond that, what would I ask? For health, wealth, happiness? Solomon was given an open-ended invitation from God to ask for anything and He chose wisdom, to which God added all these things. In the end, these things simply did not satisfy.

I am learning to see prayer more as an ongoing conversation with Jesus, my Intercessor before the Father. (Romans 8:34) Believing He is ever-present with me, conversing about everything begins to be habitual. Voicing my frustrations or questions aloud reminds me that He hears. Offering my thanks and praise as well reminds me of Who is listening. The trend I’m noticing is more and more thanksgiving and less and less requesting. Not a bad tendency, I think.

When Paul gave this advice to the Philippians, he went on to say, “not that I was ever in need,” simply put “even when I felt a need it was more of a realization of an unmet desire- not truly a need.” We are taught in earliest grade school the basic human needs- air, water, food, and shelter. I’ve certainly never lacked these basic necessities but I’ve often expressed a need for something other than these. As I begin to express daily gratitude for God’s goodness, care, and provision, I begin to understand Paul’s statement.

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me… They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:11-14, 18-19 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/php.4.11-14,18-19.nlt

In Paul’s experience, the same God who had supplied all his needs will supply my every need. I believe it because I have seen it! You have too…stop and think about it for just a moment! The smile in passing, a shared meal, the note of sympathy, or a helping hand at just the right time. God’s children prompted by God’s Spirit act in obedience to His nudge so that needs are met! Often unspoken needs that not even this needy child of God recognizes are supplied by our good, good Father!

Jesus asked, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Matthew 7:11 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/mat.7.11.nlt

Luke’s record of this same question points to the Source of God’s provision. “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.””

Luke 11:13 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/luk.11.13.nlt

Of all the “good gifts” the Father gives, the Holy Spirit is His very best! He gives Himself, the very Source and Sustainer of life, Giver of every good and perfect gift! (James 1:17)

Part and parcel with the gift of the Spirit is the Word of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/2ti.3.16-17.nlt

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”

2 Peter 1:3 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/2pe.1.3.nlt

What more could I possibly need?