Have you ever been on a diet? Have you ever eaten something in place of what you really craved? You hoped that the replacement would fill the longing that the craved item would?
If you’re like me, I’ve done that numerous times but each time have been left unsatisfied. Generally that meant I would eat something else to fill the craving, but was still left unfulfilled. Ultimately, then, I would also end up eating the very thing I craved from the start.
You know what I mean. Reaching for the carrots instead of the chocolate square. But when the carrots didn’t satisfy, the rice cracker might. It didn’t, so the chocolate square won out. But instead of going straight for the chocolate square it ended up being carrots, rice cake AND chocolate.
The counterfeit is like the key that doesn’t fit the lock.
I wonder how many times we repeat that scenario in life?
Have you ever sat on the couch watching mind-numbing television when what you really needed was a good walk? The counterfeit didn’t satisfy – you still feel lethargic and your muscles are one day closer to wasting away.
Have you ever said yes to a commitment in order to please someone else or stay in their good graces when what really mattered was being at peace in your heart and maybe even saying “yes” to your child’s request that you play another game of Candy Land? The counterfeit didn’t satisfy – you felt stressed out and guilty, and you’ve lost another day you can never get back.
I’ve even done that in my walk with the Lord. I chose the counterfeit rather than that which my soul really needed to be fulfilled.
I knew that spending time in His word was what my soul needed for spiritual growth, physical strength, and emotional peace. Yet I succumbed to the belief that that would take too much time and pursuing my career (or the snooze button on my alarm clock every morning) was the counterfeit I chose. I still needed His word hidden in my heart. The counterfeit didn’t satisfy – I had only succeeded in delaying my own growth.
Other times, I knew what my soul needed was to sit still in His presence. Instead I followed the lure of the busyness of my schedule. At the end of the day, what I still really needed was to sit still with Him. The counterfeit didn’t satisfy – I just felt alone.
According to John 10:10, we have a very real enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Our enemy loves to offer counterfeits to tempt and distract us–anything to keep our eyes and minds off the real treasure God offers instead.
You’ve heard “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is”? I’ve come to believe that that is spot on when it comes to our enemy. He offers up the “too good to be true” counterfeit pleasures and then we’re left holding the bag of fool’s gold. The counterfeit never satisfies.
But we have a sure-fire weapon to fight this enemy and win. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit living right inside you to guide you and reveal to you true treasure. If you long for this kind of help, it will require that you get still, listen, and keep your radar tuned into the still small voice of God that comes when we tune out all distraction, surrender our preconceived ideas, and wait for Him to speak. In Him, there is no confusion. He is the Spirit of Truth, the Prince of Peace, and the King of Kings.
When have you been duped by a counterfeit, only to later find out it didn’t satisfy?
Because of Him, #HopePrevails
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
This is really good. I often get duped by the fleeting things instead of going for what matters. But I never made the connection between the diet pitfall, which puts everything in a fresh (and totally relatable) light!
So glad this gave fresh revelation!! Be blessed!
We humans can be very creative inventing our counterfeits, can’t we? The common stumbling stone we make for ourselves.
Oh yes Deborah, we can! But no matter what the counterfeit – it never ever satisfies. Thanks for stopping by! Hope Prevails!
Very nice. We are guilty of settling for the counterfeit in life. But, in the end, it is His love and presence we need. Thank you for the reminder.
Mary, we all fall for the counterfeit now and then. But His grace and mercy abound.
This is timely for me too. I shared John 10:10 in my own post today. It’s so true. We can only find true satisfaction and peace in Jesus. I just wish I could remember that!
Adrienne, His grace is sufficient for us all…He gives us his grace as we learn this lesson, and mercy, which is the time to “get it.” I’m there with you! We are all a work in progress!
As I read your wise words Michelle, I thought of how it is only by being in the presence of God that we find true rest for our souls. The external agitations will cease as we experience the joy and abundance His presence gives.
Oh YES, Jeannie! true rest comes as we experience the joy and abundance His presence gives. Anything less is a counterfeit which will never satisfy.
You had me hooked with your opening illustration, Dr. Michelle. That is so true about trying to satisfy a craving with a counterfeit. The enemy does try to offer us counterfeits. Jesus is truly the real key. Thanks for thoughtful insights.
It’s always a delight to have you stop by Amy! We so easily fall for the counterfeit when we aren’t aware of their nature. Jesus is the only authentic one on which we can rely!
My pleasure April. Thanks for stopping by!!
Thank you for the great reminder of what matters most, His word!!
It’s my pleasure Cindy! Thanks for coming by!
Tell me about it Dr Michelle 🙂 I’ve been there and done it. Only the real thing truly satisfies.
That’s truth right there Davida!! We’ve all been tempted to go for the counterfeit, so I’m incredibly thankful for his mercy and grace!
My husband sometimes laughs about me saying that his negative thoughts and words are straight from the evil one and we must look to God to seek the positive. I’ve learned so much from following God’s word, and am stronger because of it.
Brandi, that makes me chuckle. Just because we’re slow to believe something, doesn’t mean it isn’t real or isn’t truth! 😉 God’s word is the only living word and the only word that satisfies! Keep pressing in!!
I Have settled way too many times in my life. Counterfeit is not any fun!
I think we all have because the counterfeit initially looks like the thing that will satisfy. But after tasting and seeing that it is NOT good, we gain a new perspective and can remember that next time! Thanks for coming by!
So many times, I have settled for the half full glass, imitations, counterfeits instead of waiting or holding out for the REAL THING. I figured at least I had SOMETHING. But it never satisfied. I felt empty, depressed, frustrated, guilty, angry at myself & those around me. I was not happy and had put myself in a worse situation. Like the Israelites in the desert, I wandered lost for MANY YEARS. But God never stopped pursuing me. He did not abandon me. He waited patiently, lovingly until I was ready. I had to SURRENDER. I had to let go of ALL that held me back. I am a work in progress. Praying continually for God to empty me of all the hindrances and FILL ME TO OVERFLOWING with His perfect LOVE.