What Do You Want - Daily Devotional - December 5, 2011

Scripture: Mark 10:36 - "What do you want me to do for your?" [Jesus] asked.

Can you answer this question? If I asked you this question right this minute, would you be able to answer it without thinking? Do you know what you want? "Part of being emotionally healthy and mature is in knowing how to recognize our needs and how to get them filled."

Think about a child who has not yet learned how to speak...they must be frustrated! They cannot tell us how they feel, what they want, why it hurts, what happened, etc. Instead they throw tantrums, cry, scream, and throw it down to the ground. "We are exactly the same when we get out of practice, which happens when we put everyone's needs far ahead of our own. We forget the language of the heart and how to express ourselves in this way...we express our needs in other ways: withdrawing, smoldering glares, snapping, nagging, or chilly extended silence."

The next time you start to feel frustrated take a moment to remember when youre needs were fulfilled first. Remember to do a self check and ask "What do I want or need?" and be honest about your answer. If you know what you want or need, go obtain it. By first fulfilling our needs, we can be much more useful in God's plan for his kingdom.