Spiritual Hunger
SPIRITUAL HUNGER ---------------------------------------- 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!