Hunger

by Joey Davis

The old commercial says, "Aren't you hungry...aren't you hungry...aren't you hungry for Burger King now?" This commercial has sold quite a few Whoppers. Burger King in very aware of the power of suggestion but there is more to hunger than, an overwhelming desire for food.

Dieticians will tell you that your hunger will tell on you. The object for which you hunger either one of two things about you.

First, it can be a sign that you are not getting enough of a certain vitamin or mineral in your diet. I find it interesting that on the list of foods "craved" by people like ourselves, peanut butter tops the list. This is not surprising, say nutritionists, because peanut Butter is a rich source of vitamin B as well as an outlet of those whose who did crave salt and fat.

I've been told that a man could practically live on peanut butter and I have some friend who have tried. There are other foods that supply physical needs as well A muscle cramp that be a seen at you don't have enough potassium in your diet. . . eat bananas. A craving for cheese could be a signal that you need more calcium in your diet. .Tile list goes on.

Second, it can be a sign that you need a quick boost. A good example of this is chocolate. Chocolate is a great source for caffeine and sugar. These aren't really things that our bodies need in order to survive, but rather things that make us temporarily feel better. They provide a quick boost of high powered fuel to our bodies that make us feel good. Other foods such as colas, cookies, etc. serve this purpose as well.

Sometimes we even have cravings and we're not sure what we are hungering for. As a teenager, my mother would scold me for standing in the open doorway of our refrigerator, looking at a veritable feast, feeling hungry yet .not wanting anything I saw. I have found that ill these cases, I'm not really hungry

but pacifying myself by taking in fuel rather than' spending the energy already possessed.

Physical hunger is similar to spiritual hunger.

Have you ever been spiritually hungry? If so, good. First, it says that you are leading the type of life that needs spiritual satisfaction, and no substitute, no matter how reassuring or positive, can meet your needs like the gospel. You have used the fuel with which God has blessed you by serving Him and stand in need of refueling. This type of refueling takes place when we honestly worship God and fellowship with the saints.

Second, there are times when our spiritual craving can signal that we are in need of a sudden, yet temporary, boost. Everyone runs out of steam from time to time and needs new energy and motivation to get back on track. Many times, this type of spiritual craving can be quenched by a good bible study, devotional, or chat with a Christian friend. Like sugar to our bodies, encouragement from various sources can renew our spirits.

Like physical hunger, our spiritual hunger is a good gauge as to whether or not we are offering our bodies in loving service to the Master. Jesus is the bread of life and living water. Blessed are those who hunger for Him. . . they shall be filled. ( Matthew 5:6)

• The Bread of Life -Jul 30, 1995