Show notes

Today in 'Words of Wisdom 131 On Desperation for God,' underscores the importance of acknowledging our helplessness without God, drawing on the poignant plea from Psalm 130 verse 1. It emphasizes that turning to God is not a mere lifestyle choice but a fundamental need, likening it to a rebel finally surrendering to the only king who can offer true freedom. Josh highlights the infinite gap only God can bridge, bringing us from desperation to soulful rest and empowerment. It cites quotes from Richard Rohr and Augustine of Hippo, reflecting on the transformative power of God's love and the deep yearning for His presence, before concluding with reflective questions aimed at encouraging listeners to examine their own reliance on God's strength. Ultimately, the Josh conveys that our desperate need for God is not a predicament but an invitation to a life filled with soul-satisfying love.

00:00 The Cry of Desperation: Seeking God in the Depths

00:41 Surrendering to God: Beyond Self-Help and Life Hacks

01:12 Bridging the Gap: The Almighty's Role in Our Lives

01:41 The Psalmist's Cry: A Turning Point Towards God's Mercy

02:10 Inspirational Quotes: The Power of God's Love to Transform

02:35 Augustine's Confession: A Heartfelt Longing for God

03:41 Reflective Questions: Examining Our Dependence on God

04:20 Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Our Need for God

About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT

• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.

•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 

• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​

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Links

You are ​powerless​ and need God

Richard Rohr, ​Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life​

Augustine of Hippo, ​Confessions​

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Words of Wisdom 131 On Desperation for God In moments of

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brutal honesty, you may find yourself

echoing the words of the psalmist,

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Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

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Psalm 130 verse 1.

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This cry of desperation acknowledges

the overwhelming weight of our

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struggles and the depths of our

helplessness apart from God.

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You're not in control of overcoming

your own struggles in your own strength.

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You are powerless and need God.

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Therefore, seeking God is not

merely a nice suggestion of mine.

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Don't mistake this for a lifestyle

upgrade or self help advice.

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Surrendering to God is

not a trendy life hack.

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It's the last gasp of a rebel

laying down arms before the only

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king who can truly set him free.

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You desperately need God, whether you

know it or not, there is an infinite

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abyss that separates you from flourishing.

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Only the infinite and unchangeable,

only the ultimate, that which

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is outside of time and space.

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And the creator of all that you

know, the one who designed you,

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gave you life and holds your life

together one breath at a time.

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Only the almighty one can bridge

the gap that separates you from God.

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Only this God of love can

give you true soulful rest.

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And empower you along the Way.

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The psalmist cry is a recognition that our

only hope lies in God's mercy and power.

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It's a turning point where we stop

relying on our own strength and start

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casting ourselves on God's grace.

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This posture of humble dependence is the

starting point and the necessary ongoing

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condition for true transformation and

freedom from the depths of our struggles.

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Quotes.

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Most of us were taught that God

would love us if and when we change.

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In fact, God loves you

so that you can change.

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What makes you desire change is

the inner experience of love.

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This alone becomes the

engine of positive change.

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By Richard Rohr in his book Falling Upward

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Late have I loved you, O

beauty ever ancient, ever new.

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Late have I loved you.

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You were within me, but I was outside,

and it was there that I searched for you.

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In my unloveliness, I plunged into

the lovely things which you created.

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You were with me, but I was not with you.

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Created things kept me from you.

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Yet if they had not been in you,

they would not have been at all.

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You called, you shouted, and

you broke through my deafness.

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You flashed, you shone, and

you dispelled my blindness.

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You breathed your fragrance on me.

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I drew in breath, and now I pant for you.

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I have tasted you.

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Now I hunger and thirst for more.

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You touched me, and I

burned for your peace.

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By Augustine of Hippo in

his book, Confessions.

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Questions.

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In what areas of your life are

you still trying to rely on your

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own strength instead of God's?

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Augustine's words express an

intense longing for God's presence.

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Have you ever experienced a similar

desire or feeling of being pursued by God?

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What is one practical way you

can cultivate a posture of humble

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dependence on God in your daily life?

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How can you apply that in the

smallest way possible this week?

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End note.

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Our desperate need for God turns out to

be the best possible of all scenarios.

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It's not only a death sentence without

God, but a life sentence with God.

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An invitation to soul satisfying love.

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Live Wisely, Josh