February 12, 2026
I Could Be Happy if Only I Had …
LYSA TERKEURST
Lee en español
“The law of the Lᴏʀᴅ is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lᴏʀᴅ is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lᴏʀᴅ are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lᴏʀᴅ is pure, enlightening the eyes …” Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV)
I remember the day I prayed as tears fell, God, please either take away this longing of my heart or show me Your answer. I just don’t think I can keep hoping for what no longer seems possible.
If you’ve ever prayed a similar prayer, you know this kind of breaking point. And in this place of desperation, our lives can go in one of two directions:
- We can lean into God and learn to trust Him more fully.
- We can look within ourselves for temporary solutions, numb out so we don’t have to feel the ache, or listen to the hopeless scripts running through our minds, only leaving us more empty.
One script I have found myself tangled in goes something like this: I could be happy if only I had …
More resources.
Predictability and peace in my home.
More time.
Uncomplicated relationships.
Friends who were more understanding.
The ability to see a future where I’m really OK.
I don’t know what your “if only I had” statements are, but I do know this: None of them will bring ultimate fulfillment. They might bring moments of happiness, but apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if we got everything on our list, there would still be a hollow gap in our souls.
If we were sitting together over coffee, processing all of this, here’s where I would turn in God’s Word with you: “The law of the Lᴏʀᴅ is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lᴏʀᴅ is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lᴏʀᴅ are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lᴏʀᴅ is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).
You see, instead of saying “if only I had” and filling in the blank with some person, possession, or position, we can choose to replace that statement with God’s Truth.
Here are some examples:
If only I had … people.
I no longer dwell on, If only my biological father loved me. Instead I remember God is the “Father of the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5, ESV), and His love for me endures forever (Psalm 136).
Maybe your gap isn’t left by an absent father but by a friend who hurt or rejected you. Or maybe you long to have children, but you still don’t. Whatever it is, God is the perfect fit for your emptiness.
If you find yourself here today, pray this paraphrase of Luke 1:78-79 with me: Because of the tender mercy of my God, by which the rising sun will come to me from heaven — to shine on my darkness and what feels like the shadow of death — I will find peace.
If only I had … possessions.
I no longer get fixated on the things I wish I had or what others have. Instead, I redirect my focus to Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (NIV).
Any possession I ever long for, no matter how good it may seem, will only be good for a limited time. In light of eternity, every possession is in the process of breaking down and becoming devalued. If I set my heart solely on acquiring things, I’ll feel more vulnerable with loss.
Possessions are meant to be appreciated and used to bless others. They were never meant to be identity markers. It’s not wrong to enjoy the possessions we have, as long as we don’t depend on them for our hearts’ security.
If only I had … position.
Instead of thinking, If only I had more opportunities or networking connections … we can pray the words of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (NIV). What an exhale from the pressure of striving and competing. Friend, you don’t need a better position to get where you should go. You don’t have to figure out your path and run ahead. God’s Word will guide you. As you follow and honor Him step by step, you can be assured you’re right where He wants you.
Sweet sister, let the solid truths from Scripture interrupt whatever “if only I had” statement you’re struggling with today.
When God’s Word gets inside of us, it becomes the new way we process life. It rearranges our thoughts, motives, needs, and desires. Our souls are tailor-made to be filled with God and His Truth, which satisfies our longings like nothing else can.
And even if we don’t receive from God what we thought we desperately wanted, He can give us perspective to see that with Him, we will never be left empty.
Dear Lord, I acknowledge only You can fill the empty places in my heart. Help me stop the “if only I had” cycle and instead be set free by Your Truth. Comfort me when I feel disappointed in my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
We’ve all had seasons where we whisper to God, If I only had more time … more peace … more clarity … then I could finally be OK. But as Lysa reminds us today, the transformation we’re longing for doesn’t come from better circumstances — it comes from God’s Truth getting inside of us and reshaping our perspective. That is the heart of She Speaks. Three days of teaching, worship, and hands-on guidance to help you step into what God is doing through your story — not someday when life is perfect, but now, right where you are. Early-bird pricing is available while supplies last. Don’t wait for the “if only I had …” version of your life to say yes. Get your tickets today, and we’ll save you a seat!
ENGAGE
Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 107:9, “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (ESV).
Our deepest longings will find true fulfillment in God alone. He’s got a good plan for good things. How does this promise from Psalm 107:9 encourage you in what you’re longing for, praying for, or even feeling desperate for today? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
© 2026 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
