10/3/21

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)

15 comments:

  1. Isn't it odd that we think we need so much when we truly do not. My husband loves kitchen gadgets and we have plenty, but my air fryer/grill combo does get used often. May grill steaks in it later today.

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    1. I am in a quandary about my air fryer/grill. Torn between wanting to get rid of it, but then thinking that if I do, I may wish I hadn't down the road and wind up purchasing another one.

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  2. This struck home. I too have spent a lot of money on things that I didn't really need. Instead I should be concentrating on real needs! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  3. it's hard though right? To choose between needs and wants. I want to keep everything (as does my hubby) so we have "stuff". but when we get rid of things, we immediately find a use for it (and have to purchase it new), or a person who needs it more than we do. and then it's like "we should have kept it afterall! it's frustrating! but our biggest need is always God. :) visiting from FMF22

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    1. It is hard, Annette, and I too have gotten rid of things and then wished I hadn't down the road, and wound up purchasing another one--or just living with the regret of no longer having it.

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  4. We all need to remember this. I am so glad you recovered from your pnemonia and heart failure! I think you must be very strong!

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    1. Not so strong. Just had a lot of people praying for me. Don't think I would have made it without their prayers.

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  5. What a great reminder about...stuff. We all seem to get stuck in that trap. I try to remember how blessed I am, without all the stuff. Having Christ in our lives, every day and every minute is really all we need. The song and the scriptures were just beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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  6. When we have Jesus in our lives, we really are blessed.

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  7. Now that we've downsized to 900 sq ft, I had to let go of a lot of things I really didn't need, and it feels great! I still have more than I need, though! And I love the Matt Maher song... one of my faves for sure!

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  8. All I have NEEDED Thy hand has provided
    Great is Thy faithfulness
    Oh Lord unto Thee.
    There is such a difference between Needs and Wants..
    Its such a Slow lesson for me to learn.
    Sue

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  9. Yes, a small fortune indeed!! I agree, all we need is Jesus! I also used this song on my post for need, love it!

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  10. How true!

    I, too, am guilty of spending money on things that I didn't really need.

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