How Emptiness Fills Our Souls - The Crosswalk Devotional - September 26
The Crosswalk Devotional
Audio By Carbonatix
By Peyton Garland, Crosswalk.com
How Emptiness Fills Our Souls
By Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
An American woman born to a well-to-do middle-class family, my basic needs were met, and my superficial childhood wishes almost always came true. My life wasn’t perfect, though, as my father struggled with PTSD for most of my childhood, and I battled undiagnosed OCD. Those were the hidden pieces of my easy life that weren’t simple to fix. No toy or vacation can heal the mind, and when it’s left unsettled for so many years, it learns to operate out of fear.
My family isn’t one to volunteer for therapy or mental health counseling. Our old southern roots dig deep in the dirt, and my relatives often see those roots as the laces by which we should all pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.
But at 25, this boot-strap philosophy still wasn’t working. I felt hollow and lonely, as though no one could understand my obsessive mind and the intrusive thoughts I could never shake. I opened up to a friend who recommended a therapist in my area, and attending her sessions was life-changing.
I came to her office at the end of my rope, empty of answers and hope, and because of this emptiness, I was able to be filled. And because I was making my emptiness known to a trusted source, I could be filled with goodness and truth. I could find healing that would never have happened had I been left to my own devices.
My therapist granted me a fresh perspective concerning my OCD. She offered conversations that allowed me to discover core issues that my heart continued to carry. She also shared hard truths concerning my diagnosis and my relationships with others that I needed to hear. Therapy wasn’t easy work. I often left feeling physically depleted, but my heart was settled. Hope had a brighter face, one I could look at and believe in.
I share my story to remind you that feeling empty, whether in relationships, job fulfillment, spiritual searching, etc., doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It doesn’t have to define who you are or keep hope out of reach. Emptiness is an opportunity to be filled, but we must only open ourselves up to be filled with what is good, lovely, and true. Anything else will not only reinforce the weight of emptiness but span the gap between you and joy that lasts.
Emptiness isn’t meant to be a badge of honor, either. In a culture that tells women they are better off alone, without children, and most fulfilled at a desk, it’s easy to believe the lie that remaining devoid of relationships with people and God is the route to safety and success. But I encourage you to rebuke culture’s destructive lie. Don’t allow emptiness to become a companion. It’s a lousy friend, I promise.
Just as an empty tomb gave way to the resurrected Savior, who has set the world free, may your empty heart give way to God’s glory and vision for your life. May your emptiness prompt your hands to open, and may your hunger be filled with everlasting peace.
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take some time to list any/all ways you feel empty. If it’s relationally, consider opening yourself up to healthy friendships through a church small group, moms’ group, book club, etc. If you feel spiritually empty, find a trusted Christian leader to confide in. If your mental health feels hollow, I encourage you to seek Christian counseling, like I did.
Further Reading:
When You Feel Spiritually Dry
Psalm 107
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Kasey McCoy
Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: Relapse, Trauma, and the Power of Community
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