Are you Hungry?

Have you heard the saying, “You’re only as thin as your thinnest friend?” I don’t remember where I heard that or if there is any validity to it. The concept behind it is that your “thin” friend will rub some of her habits off on you. I’ll let you decide if that’s true or not.

“You’re only as hungry as your hungriest friend!”

That’s my saying, and it has nothing to do with food. I’ve been writing about emotions and protecting your spiritual mind. You might be at a point in your life where getting your emotions under control seems like an impossible task, maybe comparable to cleaning out that secret linen closet at the end of your hall…. (yes, I have one).

When was the last time you felt or heard your stomach growling? When was the last time you actually had hunger pangs? Did you know that the average American eats according to a clock and not if/when they are hungry? It’s true! I’ve had people tell me before that they couldn’t remember the last time they felt hunger, and they proceeded to ask me what that felt like.

There are two types of hunger: spiritual hunger and physical hunger. The problem is these two types of hunger can be confused. You feel spiritual hunger as a craving in your emotions, your nerves are on edge and you’re rummaging through your purse for that chocolate bar. You “think” you’re hungry. Then there is physical hunger. That comes as a physical symptom; a stomach that feels hollow, possibly growling and if you don’t get some food it feels like your stomach will touch your spine!

The first step is to recognize the difference between spiritual and physical hunger. Spiritual hunger is connected to our need for GOD and our emotions. It is a good hunger, but if it isn’t fed with spiritual food it becomes a hunger out of control that crosses over to the physical side of life. This is mainly represented by a larger number on the scale, bigger clothes, and unexplained tears, flashes of anger, selfish excuses and MASSIVE insecurities!

Are you hungry?

Do you feel like there is a hole that you cannot fill no matter how many 100 Calorie snack bags you eat? God has given you and me a spiritual appetite. The problem is we keep running to take care of it with milkshakes, Diet Sodas, ice cream, popcorn, or (INSERT YOUR FAVORITE JUNK FOOD HERE). This hunger can only be satisfied by Him! And the more you eat, the hungrier you feel!

“‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.’ ” Matthew 5:6

The next time you feel hungry, and I mean the hunger without the physical symptoms located in your midsection, I challenge you to grab your Bible and run to a quiet place. Open your Bible to Matthew 5:6 and claim His promise to fill you.

“If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14

If you are only as hungry as your hungriest friend, it might be time to evaluate the friends you have. How do they feed their spiritual hunger? Is it with food, television, romance novels, or gossip? Or do they have an insatiable hunger for righteousness?

How hungry are you?