Change from the inside out begins with an awareness of our thirst. It continues with an awareness of how we try to satisfy our thirst with our own resources.
1. Casual Longings
Every other desire we experience, ranging from trivial to the significant ("I want to hear a good report from my doctor"). When casual longings are not satisfied, we experience manageable discomfort.
2. Critical Longings
The legitimate and important desires for quality relationships that add immeasurably to the enjoyment of living.
3. Crucial Longings
The basic and most profound longings of the human heart—those desires that must be met if life is to be worth living. We were designed to live in relationship with Someone unfailingly strong and lovingly involved who enables us to fulfill the important jobs He assigns. Nothing can fill that hollow core except what we were built to experience... Nothing can satisfy our crucial longings except the kind of relationship that only God offers...
But I long for a quality of relationship and a level of impact that no human being can ever provide. I was built for infinite love from Someone who needs nothing in return and for eternal impact through Someone whose purposes are supremely important. Only God can supply what my soul most deeply desires.
When crucial longings are not satisfied, there is a pain that must be dealt with. Time will not help, except as it gives opportunity for denial and escape... Without Someone who cares and something to do that matters, life is an unspeakably cruel experience to be avoided, distorted, or denied. The consequence of living with no satisfaction of our crucial longings is the beginning of hell.