5 Reminders For the Longing Soul

Lightstock.com

It’s important to have faith in God when you’re having trouble seeing the way but what do you do when your soul is longing? Longing is difficult feeling to explain. It’s like you feel a gnawing inside, a tug of emotion that lingers with a sense of emptiness even though life seems full. Sometimes it grabs you at night when your mind finally settles after a full day. Other times you wake with it – a hope that today will fulfill your heart’s desire for something you can’t quite name. When you experience it, you’re soul is telling you there is more. Your soul is telling you something is missing. The gnawing tug of possibility is your soul, the place inside us that connects us to God. Your soul is simply looking for a place to call home and that home is with God. You can find God in the hard times by choosing to trust and hope when we can’t see the way. When we do this, we glorify God better. Scripture reminds us, ‘For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” From these words, we know that that God satisfies the hungry heart. He is the ultimate provider. In William Franklin Graham IV’s new book "Redeemed" he shares some incredible reminders for the longing soul.

God Has a Special Calling For Your Life

Shutterstock.com

What is God’s calling for your life? This is a question many Christians want to know, especially when their soul is longing, but have no clue where to start to find the answer. We are drawn to the idea of knowing and pursuing our calling. That’s why so many of us want to know that we’re on the right path. In ‘Redeemed’ Graham addresses the issues of calling, saying, ‘If you are reading this and can’t think of your calling, seek God for guidance. Prayerfully ask Him to reveal it to you. I truly believe that He will quickly show you the special gifts He has already given you and how they can be used in service to Him.” By discovering God’s Will, you are also working to advance God’s Kingdom.

We Have a Mission Field

shutterstock.com

Many Christians are oblivious to their most significant mission field. Just before Jesus departed the earth, He outlined His strategic plan for world impact to His disciples: ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you’ and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). God tells us that we don’t have to become a pastor or a missionary worker full-time for Christ. Graham explains, ‘Just as God called me into ministry, if you are a believer and a follower of Christ, He has called you as well. Perhaps your mission field is the public school where you teach, the hospital where you serve, or the office where you work. Maybe your ministry is with clients or your employees.” God’s work is going on right where you are. The longing you’re sensing may be connected to your desire to discover your call. Ask God to show you opportunities that you’ve never seen before.

We’ve Each Been Equipped For Different Work

Shutterstock.com

After teaching the great doctrine regarding the gospel of God’s righteousness that is ours through faith in Christ in Romans, chapter 1-11, Paul begins to exhort us to godly living. How are we to live in the light of the saving power of the Gospel? That is what Romans 12-16 aims to teach. Graham says, “Romans 12 tells us that we are collectively different parts of the same body, and we’ve each been equipped for different work. We may be teachers, encouragers, givers or leaders. They key component, however, is that God is the One who gives us the calling, and He has prepared us uniquely for it.” If you’re at a low point, and having trouble discerning your calling, remember that you have a special purpose. What may be someone’s biggest weakness may be your greatest strength. Be confident and share your spiritual gifts to the world.

We Should Make Prayer a Daily Priority

shutterstock.com

When you wake up, your mind and heart can feel really heavy, especially when you’re focusing on all the things you have to tackle and all the stress that comes with those tasks. Prayer in the morning and throughout the day can center you and bring your focus to the place where it needs to be. In his book, Graham speaks to the importance of prayer in your daily life: “With all the distractions of life, we often struggle to make prayer a daily priority. Could today be the day when we recognize the need and give our time to God? I guarantee you that if you do, you’ll see the fruit of this special time almost immediately as He begins to work in and through you.” When you start your day off with prayer, you can begin to focus on God better.

Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer

shutterstock.com

Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Heavenly Father. It is an opportunity to become one with the Creator and Giver of all things. Prayer helps us to find strength for today and hope for our future. We should actively pray and trust in its power to change our circumstances for good. Your faith life directly correlates to the quality of your prayer life. Prayer has the power to change not only the people around you, but also your own sense of longing. Graham speaks to power of prayer, “We must never underestimate the power of prayers lifted up…Prayer is vital to developing our relationship with our Savior and in building up and supporting others through the work of the Holy Spirit.” Prayer has the power to change you from the inside out.