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“What a [woman] desires is unfailing love …” Proverbs 19:22a (NIV)
I had everything I wanted yet felt empty and confused.
My life was full of relationships and accomplishments I’d worked hard to gain, but none could fill or fulfill me.
Frustrated by my aching emptiness, tears streamed down my face as I thought about the guy I dated through high school and college. Our future plans had crumbled under the pressure of me expecting him to be all I needed.
I had been crazy about him — a little too crazy.
Like the time a friend mentioned my ex-boyfriend was heading to our hometown for the weekend. We worked near each other, so Friday afternoon I parked by his office and waited for him to leave.
We both “happened” to be at the same fast food restaurant, at the same time and bumped into each other. After getting my order, I got in my car and followed behind him, hoping he’d see me, realize he couldn’t live without me and signal to pull over so we could talk.
Seriously, what was I thinking? As you can guess, he never stopped. I was hopeless and humiliated…
A few weeks later, I was taking a walk around my college campus. My eyes drifted to the buildings, dorms and other landmarks of memories. Suddenly my mind filled with a collage of faces, reminding me of my efforts to win the approval of advisors, friends and professors — hoping their affirmation could fill my emptiness.
Although I was graduating soon, had a few great job offers and achieved success in many ways, my heart still felt restless. And I couldn’t help but wonder: Why was all that I had never enough?
A thought rushed through my soul, stringing together two words I had never put next to each other. I sensed God answering me.
Renee, all you have ever wanted is unconditional love.
Unconditional love? I didn’t know there was such a thing. Then God whispered into my soul: You’ll never find the love you long for in anyone or anything but Me. I AM the unconditional love you’re looking for.
The thought of God loving me without any conditions was inconceivable, yet something deep in my soul told me it was true. I’d been looking for love that didn’t have to be earned. Love I didn’t have to fear losing.
Honestly, it was hard to see how God’s love could fill the emptiness in my heart. It took time, but I came to understand that God created me with that need for fulfillment so He could meet it.
Proverbs 19:22a, says, “What a person desires is unfailing love.”
The word “desire” comes from the Hebrew word ta’avah, which means: to greatly long for, deeply desire or crave. Interestingly, unfailing love is mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, and not once is it in reference to a person. It is only attributed to God.
Could it be that God gave us a desire for unfailing love, because He knew it could lead us back to Him?
If today’s post resonated with you, I hope you’ll ENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!)
a copy of my new Confident Heart Devotional. I truly believe the stories and truths in it will change your life {like they have mine}!
Based on honest struggles we all have with comparison, self-doubt, fear of failing, and the life-changing lessons God’s taught me and ten other women, {whose stories are in the book} you will discover how to change the way you feel by changing the way you think – which will transform the way you live!
Expanding on what readers of my first book LOVED most: “When I say … God says …” statements, I’ve written 60 new devotions and new {WISGS} statements to equip you with a new a thought map and a promise – to live in every day!
ENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!)
Share your thoughts in the comments below to WIN one of 5 copies of my A Confident Heart Devotional or a copy of The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition for you or a friend. Be sure to let us know which book you’d like to win!
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I really needed to hear this today! Great message. Thank you.
It’s so easy to think of husbands, kids,careers ect. can fill those empty places in our hearts but nothing can fill them like Jesus can.
This past year has been a journey for me, as I pursue acceptance into medical school and therefore faced with thoughts of my future including relationships and other plans. I have seen looking back that I was trying to be fulfilled with other things and people besides with the only hope & love that will truly make a difference in my life. As I am in the process of surrending all my thoughts, plans, and desires to God the perspective of knowing He will never leave nor forsake me is the most beautiful and freeing. He has shown me to focus on those around me by showing and sharing His love with them, and I will be filled all the more with His great love so the 5 Love Languages: Single edition would be a great resource for me! Thank you for your post.
Your story resonates with me because I always am searching for someone or something to love me unconditionally. Just bought a new picture for my living room. I love this picture and how beautiful it looks in my room. But after reading your story I looked at this picture and thought what am I doing? It’s a picture. I now see this picture as a beautiful, colorful, work of art, but realize I’m not receiving that unconditional love I’m looking for. The happiness I feel when I look at this picture is temporary, but the love I receive from God is forever. Things in this life are just that “things.” Your story is a continual reminder to me that all I need is God in my life to be happy. Thank you.
Thank you for this message! The freedom of knowing that God’s love is unfailing is so comforting and wonderful. He truly does have us in His hands. There is no way He will ever abandon us, abuse us or leave us alone. He is love, unconditionally and eternally. Thank you, Lord!
I would love a copy of your Confident Heart book. I think it sounds like a great read based on your devotional today. Thank God for his unconditional love <3
Renee you are a wonderful author & teacher. Each time I read something from you, it touches my soul. When we grow up in a broken place it is such a hard thing to believe that we are ‘beloved’. It has taken a life time to start to understand and believe. thank you for your teachings. God Bless
I too have not been satisfied even though I have everything I could ever ask for. I would love a copy of your book to help show me that my satisfaction comes from God and no body or no thing could give me that love that I long for but Him.
Would love to win a copy of the devotional book. I would like either book because I think the 5 Love Languages would be great book for my teenage daughter. Love reading your posts on Facebook.
In this crazy hard world we live in there is only one who is completely and totally for us. Thank you Lord for your unfailing unconditional perfect love.
Thank you….this is such a truth, that I need to sink in every day 🙂
Raising four daughters that I see desperately searching for unconditional love, this devotional really would be a God send..literally. I try to drive home the point that The Lord loves you first and then you must be your own best friend, before you can share your love with anyone else. This would help!
I enjoy reading the proverbs 31 devotional posts daily & many messages resonate in my life to help stay on track with my walk with the Lord! I would enjoy a Confident Heart copy if I were to win in the drawing. Thanks for your words of wisdom & reminders of God’s unconditional love!
As a single “by someone else’s choice” a simple synonym hit hard this morning. I have known and am extremely grateful for God’s unconditional love. Seeing the word unFAILING love, brought to life a storm of emotion. That’s it! Love that will not fail me!
Thank you for sharing this devotional! It hit home for me as I am constantly searching for love and acceptance from those around me, when I have unconditional love and acceptance from my Father in Heaven!
I would love to win one of the devotional books, plus my name is Renae also! 🙂
Your devotional touched my heart. Unconditional, unfailing love is what I am searching for and it’s been here all along. Thank you, Renee! My brother and sister-in-law are divorced and it is hard to know what to do or say sometimes. I would love to win your Confident Heart Devotional along with Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages: singles…after reading each, I could definitely pass it along to my family members. Thank you for your inspiration!
Thanks Renee for sharing your story and weaving into it our need for unconditional love. It was a good reminder, and one I will share with my daughters.
Hit right on the mark, 9 days before Valentines day my singlness is so evident to me.
Thank you for your thought today. While my head knows I’m enough, my heart still struggles with that.
My goodness. What we all long for deep in the recesses of our beings. Thank you for this, there has been so much tragedy and loss this last year and this truly hit my soul. Many thanks, K