Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
8 13 2025
Audio Version
A few years ago, I heard a teaching from Jimmy Evans at our Couples Group.
He asked one question that still echoes in my mind:
“Who meets your deepest needs?”
In other words, day in and day out—on whom do you rely most? Who do you go to first?
Most of us instinctively try to get our needs met through a mix of people, possessions, and pursuits: spouses, friends, children, careers, churches, money, achievements, even ourselves. But here’s the truth: none of these were designed to fully satisfy.
Every human heart longs for four basic needs:
- Acceptance – knowing we are loved and needed. We want to be valued for who we are—even when we’re still figuring that out.
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” – Jeremiah 31:3
- Identity – knowing we are uniquely significant. Many carry the wounds of rejection from early in life, searching for identity in the wrong places. Only Jesus can tell you who you truly are.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
- Security – knowing we are protected and provided for. I’ve failed myself—and others—more times than I can count. But in God, there’s unshakable safety.
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” – Proverbs 18:10
- Purpose – knowing we have a reason for living. Too often, we measure this by career, money, or relationships. But real purpose is found in Christ alone.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
I know the “right” answer to Jimmy’s question is Jesus. But the harder question is: Is that my real-life, daily answer? If I’m honest, sometimes I look for faster, easier ways to feel fulfilled
through people, accomplishments, or distractions.
The problem? They never last. Many marriages fail because one partner expects the other to fill a God-sized void. We may transfer our hope to someone else—just like the Samaritan woman in John 4, who had been through five husbands and still came up empty.
Jesus said to her—and to us:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35
That’s it. He’s the only One who can feed your soul, quench your thirst, and anchor your identity, security, acceptance, and purpose.
So let me ask again: Who meets your deepest needs?
When I wake up with God on my lips and my heart turned toward Him, I’m a better man. My wife sees it. My spirit feels it. My perspective changes.
When I go anywhere else first, I end up restless, disappointed, and empty. But when I go to Jesus, He fills me, accepts me at my worst, reminds me of who I am in Him, secures my future, and sets my purpose in place.
Friend—your answer to that one question may determine not only the health of your soul but also the health of your relationships, your marriage, and your peace.
You will search your whole life if you keep looking to empty wells.
But the moment you go to the Living Water—you will find rest for your soul.
I will be hosting an Online Discovering Jesus 5-week class starting on Tuesday nights
Sept. 2nd, at 7pm ONLINE for people of all ages. Please send me a note if you would like to attend or know someone who would like to grow their faith. If you have a big screen at home, you can create a time to invite friends or neighbors who would like to join you in a Home Group for 5 weeks. Let’s get creative.
If you’d like to share this with someone, here’s the signup link:
http://eepurl.com/gKlklD To browse the complete devotional library, visit:
https://fearlesslycourageous.com
Kent Henry- I Have Loved You
