Stepping Stones: Are You a Fish Out of Water?

Transformational Thought

Most of mankind’s misery stems from the condition of feeling unloved, unwanted, or unimportant. As a result, we develop many dysfunctional activities to soothe this misery. To vicariously feel love or try to get love we pursue quick love, try to numb or escape the hurt of not being loved, substitute for the love we don’t feel by overly “loving” ourselves (pride), or love other things (sports, work, sex, food, shopping, insert your vice). In the midst of our storms, we tend to feel that somehow love has been withheld and that we have been forsaken … and this is exactly what Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to think and feel.

This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the actual storm itself. To us, love is like water to fish; we need it to surround us … we need it to navigate life … we need it to feed us. In fact, we need it to breathe. Most importantly, we need it to LIVE! Have you ever seen a fish out of water … floundering, flapping, struggling? Isn’t that how we feel a lot of times? Emotionally, psychologically, and especially spiritually? God is love, and we need a relationship with Him to receive His love. But just like any relationship, we have to receive His perfect and unconditional love and not always walk away or look in other places.

When you feel unloved or abandoned, turn to God’s Holy Scripture. Today’s Scripture reading is what I believe to be the most comforting promise in all of scripture. It assures us that we will never be alone or unloved, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” What do you believe, Satan’s lies or God’s promise? Your own insecure flesh, or the great instruction book of life? What will you be influenced by - the message of our fallen world, or the power of Jesus’ death on the cross for you?

Today, be aware of God’s love for you by imagining the love in the best fairy tale you can remember (yes guys, you can do this, too). If you are struggling, or doing well, remember that fairy tale, and look around to see and feel God’s love for YOU! Also, tell someone today who is close to you that you love them … and that God loves them even more. Your decision regarding whether you believe Satan or God, so choose well!

Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You today with such a thankful heart. Thankful for Your love, and for Your promise and assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. I pray, Lord, that You let this divine assurance trickle through my mind, body and spirit … to trickle into my heart and soul. In this action-addicted world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find time alone with You, but when I do, I feel Your love. Help this day bring awareness to those that I love … even to strangers … that they are loved. In the name of love personified, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3