The Quest for Emotional Satisfaction

Guys vs. Girls

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16)

 
February is notorious for one holiday in particular: Valentines Day. So what better of a topic to focus on than relationships? But it would not be fair if it was just my perspective, so good news, one of my dearest friends is willing to share his insight! Andrew and I met this past summer at camp. Despite the hundreds of miles now separating us, God has continued to bless our friendship as we come to a better realization of who God has created each of us to be. But no matter how good of friends Andrew and I are, we have different means of finding satisfaction. Why? Good question...

Hey fellas!

Just a bit of a background about me: My name is Andrew and I'm from Little Rock , Arkansas . All my life, I have grown up in a great Christian home with wonderful parents and three incredible older sisters. Yes, you heard me. Three older sisters and no brothers. Also, I serve an awesome, indescribable God who teaches me new things each and every day!

I am asked frequently how terrible it is having three sisters. Well guys, its not. I've gotten to know how girls work, how incredibly emotional they are, and what an awesome creation they are. Guys, we are meant to be with girls. In Genesis 2, we see God creating Adam, and then teaching him the one rule of the garden [not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil]. Then, God says to Adam,

“It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

First of all, let's pull out the first sentence. “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Guys, step out of your comfort zone. Talk to girls. We're past the stage of awkward glances and conversations. Never will I forget my first dance in sixth grade where the first thirty minutes of the one and a half our dance (of course ending by 8:30) was spent with the girls on one side of the gym and the guys on the other side. Nobody was actually having a good time. It wasn't until the first couple started dancing that we truly started enjoying ourselves.

Yup, it's true; it's good for us to be around girls. But we need to understand girls before we dive into a relationship. Girls are fragile. We need to protect them. Girls strive to be loved in a relationship. We strive to be respected in a relationship. Overall, girls are great! But, we have to be careful because it is so so SO easy to find our primary satisfaction in the ladies, for many reasons. Here is what I believe to be the

Four Main Reasons Why Guys Find Satisfaction in Girls

•  Girls are beautiful.

•  Girls make us laugh.

•  Girls listen (it even seems like they're right there living the battles with us)

•  Girls give us respect.

Here's the caution: it is so easy to run to them instead of God. Sure, we may put God in our plans somewhere along the way. We may say “hi” to Him and catch up every once and a while, but who are you having a conversation with? God or other friends (not just the girls)? Yes. It is incredible to have a solid friend that can keep you accountable. But you've GOT to make God the focus of any relationship.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Three strands: You, a solid friend or parent, and above all…God. By yourself, you will fail. With a solid friend, you'll be able defend yourself and keep the fight going. But, with God you WILL win. Every time.

So guys... who are we going to go to when we need help? Who are we going to run to FIRST? I hope in your head you're thinking "God" rather than "Daniel" or "Travis" or even your girl "Becky." Let's do this. Let's find our satisfaction in the Lord!

Much Love,

Aglenn

What's happenin' ladies?!

Ok, so dig deep towards the back of your memory and try to remember when we were in first grade and certain that boys had cooties. If one of the girls went and sat with the boys at lunch, she became the talk of our “Creative Writing Journals.” Or maybe the teacher made a seating chart where we were arranged boy-girl-boy-girl and surrounded by nasty stinky cootie-carrying boys. Well, that's changed…quite a bit. Now, it seems like the female population is always on the look-out for the next attractive man to walk by. In class, we're fighting over the seat next to that guy. Gone are the days of just passing notes; now it's going to the movies, out to dinner, and texting the boy 24/7. And who cares about cooties? That's so “third grade.”

Yep, men. Welcome to high school, where it's socially acceptable to date. Girls, God created us with a natural attraction to guys. (And let's face it, they can be quite attractive.) Just like Andrew said, Eve was created for Adam because it was “not good that the man…be alone.” We are to be companions and we find our own reasons for liking said relationship. So, I have compiled my own list of the

Four Main Reasons Why Girls Find Satisfaction in Guys

•  Guys are highly attractive.

•  Guys always seem to know what to say to comfort us.

•  Guys don't get into all the drama.

•  Guys are inclusive

And God designed us to have this unique relationship with them, but we fail to recognize the boundaries and expectations of us. Just as we desire to be loved, guys desire to be respected.

“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)

Don't get caught up in the husband/wife wording, the concept still applies to all ages. We can't expect to receive their love if we are not respecting them. One way we can honor our brothers in Christ is to submit to their leadership.

“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” ( 1 Corinthians 11:3)

As teenagers and not married, that means letting guys pursue us. Give them the opportunity to ask us on a date that they set up themselves. Let them open every door for us. Allow them the time they need to think and get their emotions/thoughts straight, be patient. Offer grace; we all make mistakes. Don't make up their mind for them. Basically, sit back and enjoy being pursued by a Godly man. It will be SO worth it.

But here's the kicker, we have no business being in any relationship if we run to that friend before we run to The Friend.

“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes .” (Psalm 118:9)

As girls, we long to be loved. I hate to break it to you, but human love is limited. God's adoration for us knows no bounds and can satisfy us more than any other guy could. Just like Psalm 118:9 says, we need to seek the Lord rather than trust earthy princes. Think about princes and all they have to offer: wealth, power, romance, comfort, security. God can offer all that, only on an even grander scale. Plus, He is always present, always listening, always loving. We just have to run to Him. He is true satisfaction.

Where do you find your satisfaction? Is this source providing total fulfillment? Where do you want to find contentment? Do you trust God to satisfy your every need?

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16)

I pray that we will all have a renewed hope and love for our Creator! Blessings, dear friends!

Centered in His love and joy,

Sara-Beth