Desires

desires - How can I know if my own desires match what God wants for me?

He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

Psalm 145:19

Trust in the LORD and do good. . . . Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:3-4

The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:16-17

OUR DESIRES can feel overwhelming and confusing. Sometimes it is hard to trust whether they are right or wrong. Two questions that can help us are these: Do the longings of my heart lead me away from the Lord or toward him? If my desires came to fruition, would they bring glory to God or to me? God promises that as long as we strive to know him, trust him, and pray for his will, he will guide the desires of our hearts. When our greatest wish is a close relationship with God, that will influence everything else we hope for. We can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that God is in control—even over our desires—and he will help us long for the things that please him.

Prayer Prompts

Lord, the deepest desire of my heart is . . .

Your Word says this about discerning whether my desires match yours: . . .