Are you restless? Frustrated? What are you chasing after, focusing on, DESIRING in your life? What fills your thoughts from day to day? For some the driving force is money, fame, power. For others it's alcohol. And for others it's food. NONE of these things is bad in and of itself. However, when it becomes the focus of our lives – if it's our passion, our hunger – then there's a pretty good chance we will end up unsatisfied, unfulfilled. So what's the answer?
Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled!"
You know what I love most about this verse? It DOESN'T say, "Blessed are those who are righteous, for they will be filled" but instead, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. That's a really good thing in my case. Probably in all our cases. After all, we're all works in progress, right? Pobody is nerfect!
From time to time I've had the opportunity to lead retreats for Christian women, often on the topic Hungering After God. The two questions we spend time delving into are, 1. "What is a hunger for God" and, 2. "How do we develop it?"
Webster defines hunger as 'a strong desire or craving for something.' God created us with a physical hunger and gave us something tangible to satisfy it. We all know this ... some of us only too well.
But He also created us with a spiritual hunger ... for Him. The problems come when we try to satisfy our spiritual hunger with something other than God. No human relationship, no job, no possession and no amount of money or success – or food – can ultimately satisfy us. It's like putting a round peg in a square hole. God made us with this need for Him and, like so many, I kept trying to fill it up with things that just didn't fit.
When I was featured on the cover of Woman's World magazine, they mentioned how I relied on God for strength as I was losing my weight. Unfortunately they went one step further and found a prayer and put it in next to my article. I got hundreds of email from hurting people who claimed to chant this prayer in the hopes of losing weight. Oh man, if it was only that easy!
Relationships take time and effort. They're not easy to maintain! Like any other relationship, our relationship with God is a two way effort. He's put in effort above and beyond on His end ... sending a Savior, writing us a letter, giving us the fellowship of others, and more. But what about us? Hmmmmmmm.
So I'm going to use this Daily Bread blog to share some thoughts and verses on the subject. And I'd love to hear what YOU think.
Comments
aemaleski said,
January 1, 2012 11:49 AM
I can't wait fast enough for this blog to get off its feet. I could always use insight to the spiritual aspect of my weight problem. And use that insight to gain control over my eating patterns.
gingerbread said,
June 4, 2011 10:58 PM
Gingerbread
So grateful for this blog. I know God wants to show up in my life each day...each moment...with each difficulty. But I forget to ask Him.
Anonymous (not verified) said,
October 2, 2010 8:52 PM
I didnt see that issue of Women's World Magazine. Could you recite the prayer in this blog for those of us who didnt see it? I depend on God for absolutley everything ! Where would we be without Him?
Patti Z said,
July 11, 2010 7:11 AM
This daily bread blog is great. Keep it coming, please!! After all, we all do need Christ daily. He says, "I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will never go hungry." John 6:35.
cezale said,
July 9, 2010 3:13 PM
I've been all over your website looking for something to help me keep on track and I just found this incredible blog. Oh, how I know but am so very weak. I pray for strength in Him to keep me on the healthy path. I know I am filling a void right now which is too painful to write about. In His timing perhaps prayer will be answered. Thank you, Kim. I look forward to reading more. God bless.
Mary Ann Kringel said,
July 9, 2010 2:16 PM
I KNOW THAT PUTTING GOD FIRST IN MY LIFE IS THE ONLY THING THAT HAS HELPED ME KEEP GOING. TWICE THIS PAST YEAR I ALMOST DIED AND PRAYER IS WHAT RAISED ME UP. BECAUSE OF SO MUCH MEDICATION I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS LOSING WEIGHT BUT THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER DAY BY DAY AND I AM OFF OF TWO MEDICATIONS AND I AM ON TRACK AGAIN. SO PLEASE CONTINUE WITH THE DAILY BREAD SPOT. I LOVE IT.
benny said,
July 1, 2010 8:21 PM
WELL RELYING ON ME.WELL SO FAR HASNT WORKED.I AM WEAK AND HAVE DISSAPPOINTED MYSELF OVER AND OVER AGAIN.I LOVE THAT YOU USE SCRIPTURE.GOD IS THE OLNY ONE THAT CAN GET THROUGH TO ME.KEEP USING THE SCRIPTUE.I LOVE IT.PSALM THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT.
NightowlTJRD said,
July 1, 2010 8:11 PM
We may pray to God, but sometimes we might not like the answer. I read that somewhere and I think it's true. People pray for alot of things, and they don't like it when God says,"No." I have to admit there are times I am guilty of that, but strive not to be. I look forward to reading what you have to say Kim.
God Bless,
Tammy (NO) :)
goal501 said,
July 1, 2010 8:16 AM
This is wonderful! So many times in my life, I have felt God direct me. I think many of us expect a phone call from above to believe it is really Him. We need to be in tune with our surroundings and let Him guide us. We need to take the inspiration from Him as it comes, which can be subtle at times. With that said, we must be willing to work at it alongside of Him as he guides us.
janechia said,
June 30, 2010 4:38 PM
Keep them coming Kim!!
Kat T said,
June 30, 2010 3:13 PM
Thank you Kim for your wonderful insight. I will be looking forward to this Daily Bread blog again and again. God is my strength and my portion, in Him alone I rely.
susanchristine16 said,
June 30, 2010 2:52 PM
I will be reading!!!
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