Usually our wants do not match our needs. Our basic daily needs may consist of food, water, shelter, and community. Our wants are much more specific, such as a certain type of food, a preference of the temperature of water, a choice of where we lay our head at night, and a selection of who we spend our time with.
Reality is, I don’t need to eat all organic food, have ice cold water, a nice comfy bed, and to be surrounded only by people that I easily get along with. I may want these things, but they are not a necessity for my survival.
Need is defined as “a physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Want can be defined as “having a strong desire for.”
Just recently I was journaling and reflecting on the book of James. I came up of list of things I want, and realized that I could easily replace the word want with the word need in these statements…the reason why is because I want the Jesus to become more, and me less. Yet I also need Him to become more, and me less.
My list of Wants/Needs:
· I want to believe when I ask, so I may not be double-minded.
· I want to pass the test, so I might inherit the crown of life.
· I want to trade my anxiety for prayers of thanksgiving.
· I want to be slow to speak, so I might be quick to listen.
· I want to meditate on the Word that gives life, so I might be transformed.
· I want to trade in my idea of religion, for God’s pure and faultless pursuit of those
in distress.
· I want to become poor in the eyes of the world, so I might become rich in faith.
· I want to love myself less, and love God and my neighbors more.
· I want to trade my judgmental attitude for a law that gives freedom.
· I want my God’s mercy to triumph over my judgment.
· I want to trade in my earthly wisdom for heavenly wisdom.
· I want to trade in my envy and selfish ambition for sincerity, consideration of
others, mercy, and good fruit.
· I want to sow in peace, so the Lord may bring about a harvest of righteousness.
· I want to trade in my pride for humility.
· I want my faith to be shown by good deeds.
· I want to stop cursing man, and praise God for His creation of mankind.
· I want my heart to be pure, so my words and thoughts may also be pure.
· I want to persevere through trials, so I may be made complete.
· I want to recognize how lost I am, that I am found.
· I want to recognize my sickness, so I might be healed.
· I want to see how enslaved I am, so I might be freed.
· I want to lose my voice, so He can speak through me.
· I want to lose my intelligence, so I might have faith like a child and enter the Kindgom.
· I want my plans to fail, so His may prosper.
· I want to come to the end of myself, so He might overtake me.
