“You can’t always get what you want.

You can’t always get what you want.

You can’t always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes, you might find

You get what you need”

Rolling Stones

I hate that song.

I hate that song, because every time disappointment strikes it plays in my head like a record.

Imagine for a minute you were inside my mind (scary I know, I’ve been there). All of the sudden something disappointing happens and the best my mind can do to comfort me is play the Rolling Stones on repeat.

You can’t always get what you want.

To make matters worse I’m too young to have any fond memories attached to the band, or the song; and I’m pretty sure I don’t have “the moves like Jagger” (although I try, and I suspect we might share the same size pants…ewww).

You can’t always get what you want.

I hate that song.

The worst kind of discouragement is the kind you can’t escape. But round and round it spins making every matter worse, reminding me sometimes it doesn’t matter whether you’ve been naughty or nice:

You can’t always get what you want.

I love that song.

I love that song because after I have thrown my customary fit; which inevitably ends with kicking my imaginary Mick Jagger in the shin, I remember that I may not always get what I want, but try or not, God’s always given me what I need.

Now is a good time to change the track in your head. I prefer:

What I want is what I want ,

But what I need I got.

Sung to the tune of “What I am” by a catchy forgotten little band, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemian (I know what you’re thinking, “with a name like that it’s a wonder they were only a one-hit-wonder… 3 words: catchy little chorus)

I wont risk losing you in any more of my complex mind tours, instead, I invite you to step out of my head and into my heart.

You wont always get what you want. You can’t. Sometimes what you want is so pure and sweet that to try and make since of why you can’t have it would send our head spinning in a million directions and our hearts breaking a million times over. We wont always get what we want.

Not every child will be adopted. Not every job will pan out. Not every relationship will grow. Not every mother will stay healthy. Not every family will stay together. Not every story ends with happily ever after. And round and round to make this point; not every desire of your heart, even the sweetest ones will beat in tune with God’s melody for your life.

Not yet anyway.

Don’t lose hope.

Don’t quit.

Heaven is coming and Jesus is with you.

We may not always get what we want, but even in the darkest times, we will have everything we need.

Our hope isn’t in having our wants met with perfection, but in having our needs met through perseverance.
Our hope is in the person of Jesus.

God will never leave you or forsake you. He is your help in times of trouble. He can put a new song in your head, in your heart, and on your lips. A song of praise for every blessing He has given and the heartbreak He walks you through.

What you want is what you want, but what you need, you’ve got.

Don’t let disappointment keep you from singing. You’ve been given what you’ve got, so you can give it all you’ve got.

Sing out!

You can’t always get what you want, but when you’re trusting God, you’ll get what you need.

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people”. Ephesians 1:18

Praying for you this week, that songs of praise would be lifted high, trusting God for all our needs.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment or sharing your own story of hope for others.