What Are You Hungry For? Spiritual Insight from Natural Needs

By: Lauren Thomas

If you have ever found yourself relating to the stereotype of a woman who can’t answer the question, “where do you want to eat?” I’ve got a different question for you: “what are you hungry for?”

But I’m not talking about food.

 

It’s an important question, because what we crave holds insight for us.

 

In Matthew 4 we read that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil:

 

² And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 

Matthew 4:2-3 ESV

Notice, Jesus had a natural and healthy need after fasting for so long. He was hungry. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, with having needs. But anywhere in our lives that we feel hungry is an opportunity for the devil to do what he does: tempt us. It is not a “moment of weakness” to be hungry, but it is in our hunger that we might experience a moment of weakness.

When we are aware of where we are hungry, we gain insight on where we might be tempted and where we might find ourselves failing.

What are you hungry for? Do you crave approval? Do you desire to have friendship? Do you want recognition? Vindication? Comfort? Security? Some needs are healthy. But even healthy needs can be met in unhealthy ways. For instance, desiring connection is healthy, but committing infidelity to find it is not healthy. Healthy needs can be met in unhealthy ways. Satan knows this and that’s why he tempts us where we hunger.

In Matthew 4, we not only learn about the devil’s strategy, but we also see Jesus’ solution:

⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:4 ESV

 

Jesus verbally asserted that the ultimate source for meeting every need, every hunger, every craving, is God alone. In God alone is true satisfaction found.

 

In our hunger, we might face our greatest temptations. But in our hunger we are pointed to the greatest satisfaction: God.

 

For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:9 ESV

 

Now you know where you want to eat.

 

Reflection:

Do some soul searching and discover your hunger. Where are you hungry? What do you crave? Can you see a correlation between your hunger and where you find yourself tempted? How could this hunger be satisfied in God?

Trusting God Without All the Answers

 

By: Donna Bucher

I had one of those conversations with the Lord the other day; you know the ones where He’s clear on the directive, but short on details?

My heart eagerly moves toward obedience, but my mind races with incessant questions.

Experience reminds me, obedience first, but resting in God without all the answers, continually challenges me to walk by faith, not by sight.

 

Many people lament their lack of ability in hearing God speak to them regarding decisions or the need for direction in their lives. Admittedly, I felt much the same way for many years, until realizing I had no problem hearing God’s direction.

My problem centered on reluctance in moving forward when I still held so many unanswered questions.

The need for answers paralyzed my efforts at obedience, strapping me to a defeated walk by sight rather than by faith. A mindset that not only hindered my spiritual walk but kept me in a perpetual cycle of anxiety and control seeking. Resting in God without all the answers seemed both my ultimate freedom and my worst nightmare.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

John 16:33

 

Acknowledging my need for rest amounted to the first step only. The next step embraced an attitude of mindful pausing, including the surrender of my own need for certainty.

Regardless of the many definitions or ideas we entertain about rest, resting in God without all the answers requires a level of abandonment we resist. a Incorporating the following five mindful attitudes positions us for a walk based in faith, not sight.

Rest involves silence. Resting in God means silencing the noise in your soul. Anxiety, questions, fear, and control seeking cause soul disturbance. What needs silencing in your soul? (Psalm 62:1)

Rest involves stillness. The noise of emotion in your soul often speaks louder than God’s still, small voice. Drawing you away from God’s Word resulting in responses of fear, shame, defensiveness, or anxiety. (John14:27)

Rest involves dying to self. Choosing anxiety or worry over resting in God without all the answers cripples your faith and trust in God. Relinquishing your need for answers to all your what ifs, how to’s and questions involves dying to the selfish need for control. (1Peter 5:7)

Rest involves a place of quiet. Separating yourself from the noise and distraction around you, provides a place to hear and dispel the noise of your soul. Busyness keeps you in avoidance mode, unable to properly confront the true issues troubling your soul.  (Psalm 131:2)

Rest involves faith. Walking by faith means trusting God’s timing in His revealing all you need to know for each step of your journey. Surrendering your need for all the answers before you step out in faith leads to truly resting in God.

Lingering in these five mindful attitudes of rest provided a nourishing respite from the soul noise stealing my peace. Shifting my perspective from a “need to know” all the answers before resting, to a “need to trust” God for the answers unfolding with each step of faith and obedience.

The most shocking discovery I made was encountering a level of soul rest far exceeding any I foolishly thought I secured for myself. Resting in God without all the answers truly held me in the safest, peace-filled, and liberating place of serenity my soul has ever known.

Reflection:

What signs of lack of trusting God revealed themselves to you?

Which mindful attitude can you work on implementing today?

 

Find more encouragement and FREE Resources at Serenity in Suffering!

 

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When Your Child Doesn't Believe in God

By: Jenifer Metzger

Recently a friend asked me to join her in prayer. Her child informed her that he didn't believe in God. Nothing breaks a mama's heart more than when her child says they don't believe in God. We fear what it means for their life now, and we deeply fear what it means for their eternity.

I have no greater joy than this: to

hear that my children are walking in truth.

3 John 1:4 CSB

I think we can all agree that we greatly desire for our children to walk in truth and to know Truth. So what can we do when our child doesn't believe in God?

Hit your knees! Nothing in this world is more powerful than prayer. Mama, I know you've been praying, but keep on praying. Never stop. Never grow weary of praying for your child. Cover your child in prayer every single day and all throughout the day. Get your anointing oil out and pray over things your child touches. Ask God that your child would feel the power of God as he touches those items. Just pray!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord

has granted me what I asked of Him.

1 Samuel 1:27 CSB

I know this verse in 1 Samuel is about Hannah having asked the Lord for a child. But we are going to shift here and just see that she prayed. Hannah was a praying mama even before her child was in her womb!

Lead by example. Whether we realize it or not, whether we like it or not, our children are watching us. They see everything we do and hear everything we say. One of the biggest ways you can lead your child to Christ is by living for Him in a way that would make your child want to live for Him too.

Not lording it over those entrusted to

you, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 5:3 CSB

Pray over outside influences and be careful what and who you allow to influence your child. It is impossible to protect our kids from every little thing. Minus putting them in a bubble and keeping them locked indoors, they will be influenced by the outside world. Pray that God would protect your child from negative and evil influences. Monitor what they watch on tv, read, listen to, friends they hang out with, etc. If you feel it is an influence they do not need, do not be afraid to say no. When they see or hear something that is a negative influence, use it as a teachable moment. Talk to them about it, see how they feel about it, and pray together about it.

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen

you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 CSB

Keep communication open. Talk openly and honestly with your kids. Don't just talk at them, but with them. Give your child a chance to voice his opinions and work through them while you listen carefully. Then always go back to the Bible. Always point them to Scripture.

I want their hearts to be encouraged and

joined together in love, so that they may have

all the riches of complete understanding and

have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.

Colossians 2:2 CSB

Friends, if your child -young, teen, or adult- has walked away from God or doesn't believe in God, don't lose hope. Keep on keeping on. Continue to pray and live for God. Let your child see you living the life God calls us to live. Remember that the Word says to train up a child.

Start a youth out on his way; even when

he grows old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 CSB

If this is where your child is right now, leave a comment or email me. I would love to pray for you and your child.

Discussion:
1. Has your child ever claimed they don't believe in God or maybe they are questioning their belief? What was your reaction?
2. What is another thing you can think of that we should do if our child claims they don't believe in God?

Characteristics of a Godly Woman: Part 4

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Ben White

"In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered."

~Titus 2:3-5

We have been journeying all month through a study of what Scripture teaches are characteristics of a godly woman. We continue today by looking at three more characteristics: 

• Patient

I am not the most patient person, let me tell you! But as I grow in the Lord and walk by the Spirit, love is grown in me, which then leads to more patience, for "love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4). To posses the fruit of the Spirit known as patience means to be "constant", "steadfast", and longsuffering, and to practice  "fortitude", "perseverance", and "endurance". This clearly requires much strength, again going back to who we have been called to be in Christ. The strength required to live a patient life comes from Christ's work in us.

• Kind and Good

Titus 2 tells women to be good, chaste, and sober-minded. Proverbs 31 says that women are to speak truth and wisdom in kindness. Jesus Himself was the epitome of kind and good. Interestingly, the word translated as "kindness" in certain translations of Galatians 5:22 is also translated as  "gentleness" in others. This is noteworthy because, throughout the Word, we are told to combine grace and truth, mercy and truth, love and truth. We are to always speak truth, but always only in love and gentleness.

•Faithful 

Full of faith - the literal meaning of "faithful". The Greek word translated as "faithfulness" in Galatians 5:22 is the same word translated as shield of "faith" in Ephesians 6:16, referring to another part of our God-given armor that we are to use in spiritual battle. This Greek word is used in the New Testament and translated as "faith" over 200 times, the vast majority of which refer to an active rather than a passive faith, an action taken by the person possessing the faith. James 2 continues on this theme by teaching that faith without works is dead. A woman who is full of faith is one who lives out her faith in both the seemingly small and seemingly big moments of life. She is active in her faith, putting it to action as did those included in the great hall of faith in Hebrews 11.

Reflection Questions:

1) What stood out to you the most from what you read today?

2) In what area of your life is the Lord wanting to work?

3) Will you surrender to Him?

Lay Our Lists Aside

 By: Joanne Viola

 

Do you take notes? I admit I am a note-taker. I took notes in school and still take them in Bible Study, and during the sermon, and sometimes during a phone call. A stenopad might be seen on my counter so that it is always handy.

As I prepare for vacation, I began to realize I even keep lists at times. It’s not a “to-do” list but more of a “don’t forget” list.

In the midst of jotting down some vacation notes, I paused to think about two women in the Bible. They were sisters who displayed different qualities. Qualities worth taking note of, and yes, the pun was intended.

I imagine Martha would have been a note-taker and a list-maker. Her home was the place to which Jesus came to eat. She obviously had the gift of hospitality and exercised it well.

There was just one problem. Scripture tells us she was a woman who became distracted by her list.

“But Martha was distracted with all her preparations.”
(Luke 10:40a, NASB)

Martha had her thoughts turned away from her guest of honor, Jesus, and became unable to give Him her attention. She was overwhelmed by her list of things which she had yet to do.

Jesus even tells her what her to-do list had actually produced:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things.”
(verse 41, NASB)

Our lists can seemingly grow out of control causing us to not only be distracted, but to also become anxious and worried.

We lose sight of the most important part of life.

Mary, Martha’s sister, also knew what needed to be done. Yet rather than get caught up with all the preparations, she took the time to sit and listen to Jesus as He was teaching.

Jesus commends her for pausing:

“Only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.”
(verse 42, NASB)

 

We need to know when to stop, be still, and listen for the voice of our Lord.
In our busyness, we can miss His still small voice.
Let’s know when to lay our lists aside.

 

 

Reflection:
Are you a note-taker or list-maker? How do you break away from constantly doing the next thing?

 

Image by Borko Manigoda from Pixabay