Examining our needs

From a Shiur by Chevi Garfinkel on Emunah and Bitachon

Every parent loves their child and wants what is best for them no matter what they do, but there are acts that the child can do that brings them closer to the parent or further away.

Hashem loves us more then any parent no matter what we do, but if we want to develop a relationship with Hashem we have to focus on doing acts that bring us closer to Hashem.

As we work the program it is important for us to develop a relationship with Hashem to give us the strength to stay on the program and to grow as a person. We should analyze our actions to make sure that they take us in this direction.

Just like a parent gives a child what they need but not always what they want, Hashem gives us what we need. When we daven in Ashrei that Hashem should open his hand and satisfy the will of every living thing, we are davening that Hashem should satisfy our Neshomah not our bodily desires. The purpose of davening is not to get what we what, but to ask Hashem to help us to accept what we need.

We need to put our focus on needs and not wants.