Grow Up And Lead YourselfSample

Spiritually Hungry? Feed Yourself.

By Liz Sarno

We’ve all heard people say things like, “I’m not being fed.” “I’m spiritually hungry.” Or even, “I don’t feel close to God anymore.” Maybe you’ve said these things yourself. 

When you are hungry (for food), there are side effects beyond a growling stomach. Lack of food can make you feel irritable, unfocused, and weak. Spiritual hunger can cause these same characteristics to creep into your life.

Do you remember the last time you felt hunger? What did you do? Did you call your pastor and tell them you needed to eat so that they could run over to your house, whip up a hot meal, and spoon feed you until you were full? Did you blame them for why you felt hungry? Did you complain about their lack of effort to ease your hunger? Of course not! You either fixed yourself a plate or headed to the nearest Chick-fil-A drive through. Either way, you fed yourself. Why is it then, that when you are feeling a little spiritually dry, your first instinct is to blame the pastor, the church, or especially the Church as a whole? 

It’s time to look in the mirror and recognize that no one else is to blame for the hunger you are feeling and that you, and you alone, are the only one responsible for your spiritual life. 

You may be saying, “I understand I need to feed myself, but how do I do that?” It’s easy!

In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Did you catch that? Jesus promised you would never be hungry if you just come to Him. If you are feeling the pangs of spiritual hunger, the chances are good that you might need to take some time to spend with Jesus. You might need to pick up a fork and feed yourself from His Word.

The Bible contains 66 Books, totaling 1,189 chapters, which hold 31,102 verses that have the ability to speak to whatever you might be facing at any given moment. When you’re feeling spiritually hungry on any level, you can find a small snack or a four-course meal in the Word of God! You have no excuse to be hungry: open up the Word and feed yourself!