A full life is a gift meant for us to enjoy. Although it can be an exciting adventure, we also have times when we struggle just to get through the next twenty-four hours. A failed relationship can make us feel stressed out, frustrated, and empty. When we’re at our lowest point, God wants to be the source for everything we need to recover and move forward again.

Most people think they have to be their own source; when something happens, they’ve been taught to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and move on through their own efforts. That sounds fine, until we get to the self-effort part. We all have human limitations, and eventually we’ll find we have nothing left to draw from when we need love, compassion, and acceptance. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). He’s our never-ending source for whatever we’re in short supply of.

The world may tell us we gain an advantage when we find our source in another person; this is not true. Being single doesn’t have to put us at a disadvantage when we trust in Christ as our source. Jesus didn’t need anyone—except His heavenly Father—to complete Him. Relying on Him as our source gives us a real, not just a perceived, advantage. “Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things…” (1 Corinthians 8:6, AMPC).

God wants to be a part of our lives, in good times and bad times. When our friendships are going well, He’s the one who blesses them. When we’re lonely and hurting, God wants us to turn to Him for comfort. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He loves us deeply, and He doesn’t want to see us struggling or in pain.

To find contentment, we also need peace and joy. These are godly emotions. Relying on another imperfect person to provide them leaves us open to disappointment and pain. Trusting God for them positions us to receive from a source that never fails. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” (Romans 15:13, NKJV).

The world confuses joy with happiness, but these are two different emotions. Happiness is how we may feel for a fleeting moment, but joy comes from what we know. We can be let down if we base our happiness on any human relationship. However, the knowledge that God, Himself, wants a relationship with us brings us joy that no one can take away. “…His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV).

We’ve all been made with an empty place in our hearts that only God can fill. Thinking that we’re sufficient in ourselves leaves us longing for something we can’t identify. No matter how hard we try to find what we need from the world, it just isn’t there apart from Him. “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing...’ LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure” (Psalm 16:2, 5, NIV). Acknowledging God’s love for us allows Him to fill us with what we need.