Inside every heart is a hole, a void that destroys anything temporary that you put in it.  I’d call it a spiritual black hole, it voids all matter of any potential for growth.  The only thing that can overcome this black hole is a constant source of light.  

I’ve tried filling that hole with so many different things:  music, games, busyness, outdoors, exercise, pride, selfishness, addictions, friends, passion, conditional love, acceptance, and all fruits of horizontal relationships; I’ve even tried to fill it with religion.  Nothing works, not one single thing.  I know that the most popular options are the opposite sex, food, drugs, alcohol, and anything that produces adrenaline or endorphin.  

The truth is I see it not just in my own mirror, but in everyone’s.  I see hundreds of people, young and old, filling those holes in their hearts with the “next best thing”.  We are all lined up at satan’s convenient store with black puzzle-shaped pieces missing right where our hearts should be.  We each take something from this “convenient” store and try to mash this mismatched puzzle piece in that hole.  It doesn’t work and we get frustrated, we feel lonely, we get depressed, we contemplate the meaning of our lives, when our search is over, the end knocks at our door.  

Very few of us go to the inconvenient store of Christ, very few of us take the harder path, choose what tastes bad, but is better for us.  Can’t you see what the evil one is doing?  He uses temptations, things that taste good and feel good, to trick our minds.  When you want to poison a dog, you don’t take a spoonful of medicine straight to him.  You get the biggest, juiciest steak and you fill it with poison.  Don’t fall to temptations!!! I’m screaming at myself and everyone I love.  Please, please, please don’t settle for less than God’s love.  Experience God’s love, know His love so intimately that you know nothing else can fit your puzzle piece heart.  How?

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  

We all share the same temptations.  Help each other overcome those things.  Satan will flee from you so quickly.  You have power over him.  He’s puny compared to Jesus.  

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Finally, if you need help just ask!  There are plenty of men and women of God who care, who pray, and who love.