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SPIRITUAL HUNGER
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The definition of this common word, (Hunger) "The state of discomfort
or weakness caused by lack of food, a desire or need for food, ANY strong
desire or craving." The parellel between the nautral and the
spiritual, truly is at times uncanny to say the least. We all know what natural
hunger feels like. What about spiritual hunger? It can feel different
to different people but common feelings are: a deep sense of emptiness;
feeling like there's no meaning or significance to life; feeling lost;
feeling like something is missing but not being able to identify even
what is missing; it can be an edgy, gnawing feeling of unknown origin;
it can feel like deep sobbing from the very center of our soul. These
are only a few examples of what spiritual hunger can feel like.
Many, if not most times, when we feel this spiritual hunger we are
unaware of what it really is. It does bring discomfort and pain, so we
look to soothe that pain. We may fill that with anything...drugs,
alcohol, any form of destructive habits, obsessive compulsions,
eating disorders, sex, pornography, TV watching, the list is extensive.
Many times we can also fill that same spiritual hunger with things that
look more positive; like filling every second of our lives with
busyness, people, family, kids, spouse, sports, entertainment of any
kind, shopping, reading, work, the list is endless. Not that these
things are bad, in and of themselves, but could we be using these
things to fill spiritual hunger? I'd encourage you to think about what you
tend to turn to when you sense those feelings of spiritual hunger. What are
those areas of escape in our lives? There are also some who have been
so wounded beyond belief that they simply have lost the ability to feel
at all, thus masking spiritual hunger with numbness and denial.
We often view that discomfort or pain as an enemy to be quelled, after
all, nobody in their right mind likes to hurt. Let's explore that a
little further. Look back again at natural hunger (food). If we go too
long without food, our tummies hurt, we start getting weak, maybe get a
headache and if we go too long we can even start to lose our desire for
food. If we keep going like this we will eventually die. Some can go
longer than others without food, but the end result will always be
death. Thus, hunger is actually a very good thing, it signals that we
have a very real need for nourishment. This is EXACTLY the same thing
spiritually. The bible says in Luke 6:21 "Blessed are you that hunger
now, for you shall be filled."
Hunger a blessing? YES! For the hunger will cause us to turn to
nourishment that is needed, in order to bring life. God our Creator,
made every person with a need within our souls that ONLY HE can fill.
His purpose is to bring life and bless us. When we try to fill that
void with other things, it only leads to more hunger. It may bring
temporary relief, like eating a bit of junk food that doesn't satisfy.
Yet, our need is REAL food, food that nourishes and sustains us, gives
us strength and life.
If you are feeling stirred in your heart now, if you're feeling
spiritually hungry, there's good news. John 6:35 says "And Jesus said
unto them, I am the BREAD OF LIFE, he that comes to me shall
never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst."
Psalm 107:9 says, "For he satifies the longing soul, and fills the
hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 34:8 says, "O taste and see that the
Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusts in Him."
It is easy to get spiritually filled. Simply ask with an honest heart
something like "Jesus, I'm hungry, please come fill me, I need You" or
whatever is on your heart. Have a heart to heart talk with Jesus who
WANTS to bless you and fill you. One thing important to notice...we
eat food in the natural everyday, our need for food spiritually is daily
too, simply come to Jesus and you'll be amazed!
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