WHAT DO WE REALLY NEED?

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--NEED

Five minutes to free write about it

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Over the years, a small fortune has probably slipped through my fingers on things I thought I needed, but have yet to use. Boxes full of unread books, most of which I could have borrowed from the library; ever growing stacks of magazines I can't bear to part with until I have at least had a chance to skim through them; kitchen gadgets that seemed absolute necessities, such as the rarely used air fryer/grill combo that now occupies valuable space on an already too small kitchen counter. Obviously there's a serious disconnect in my mind between true needs and just wants made to seem like needs by clever, enticing advertising.

In reality, the only things we really need while inhabiting this earth are water, food, air, shelter, and clothing. By the grace of God, I've never been deprived of any of those needs, although I did come close to experiencing lack of  air during the almost two weeks spent hooked up to a ventilator when I contracted double pneumonia due to acute heart failure almost four years ago (documented in my book, Oil of Myrrh). 

Looking at things in their proper perspective, what I need above all else is the LORD. Only Jesus can provide me with His peace that surpasses understanding--no matter my circumstances--and through Him alone my eternal life in the presence of God is secured.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-6 ESV)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NLT)

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:25-26)