I don’t always get what I want. Not from my friends, not from my parents, and not from God.

Some view God as a spiritual Santa, there to grant our wishes, give us “presents”, and take care of all our wants. But what He does instead, in what I think is the absolute beauty of God, is give us not what we want, not what we necessarily desire, but exactly what we need.

So what do we need? This can be debated infinitely. Some would say a new car, an amazing job, a trip around the world, meeting the perfect person. But I believe our true needs are to grow spiritually as a person. We need to have our life become more aligned to the fruits of the spirit.

We as humans think we know better. After all, we are physical beings. While age is relative, most of us have lived and breathed on this earth for what seems like a very long time. Who knows us better than ourselves? Our experiences have taught us all the lessons necessary for proper decision making, correct?

I’ve discovered that such a notion is wrong. We do not always know best. When making decisions, I used to always choose the “feel good” path. The one that my heart wanted. This was not always what was best for my emotional wellbeing and growth. Following the heart can be a selfish act, which we should embrace sometimes, but not commit to completely.

Now, listening to your head isn’t always the answer either. Sometimes, we get too caught up in what makes sense and what keeps others happy. Using too much logic and calculating too carefully can leave us feeling empty. We learned from Spock that the heart keeps us human, after all.

Okay confusion is probably setting in. If we shouldn’t individually listen to our heart or head, what should we do in that all important moment?

We need to consider our heart and our head and then turn it over to God. He knows exactly what will strengthen us in our faith and bring us closer to Him. He knows what will lead us in the right direction. He also knows what little idiosyncrasies put a smile on our face. Though the path he takes us through can be covered with rocks and sticks and stones, it will lead to a place where the grass really is greener, and where there is no ceiling for your expectations. Now you are probably saying… I can’t hear him. And there is only one thing God asks of us;

To pray and to listen.

Listen for the signs that are around you. If we choose to look up and look for them, they will be there. I promise. They may come from nature, a friend, a verse, or the thought that suddenly comes upon us. Pray for answers. Let go of senseless worries and anxieties. If there is anything being a Christian has taught me, it is that trusting God with your life takes the pressure off you, so you can worry about carrying out Gods plan. Action over anxiety. That is what God grants us.

So use your head and your heart but most importantly, use your GOD. You might not get what you want but you will always get what you need.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Prov. 3:5&6