Even too much of a good thing can turn bad…and my hunger did.
Once I lost my baby fat, I slimmed down, became as skinny as a rail, and stayed that way throughout school and into my young adult years. A good thing because my appetite raged.
In those years, my eating was more unhealthy than healthy. I loved junk food. Around forty, things changed—but not my appetite. No longer could I eat as much as I wanted, or what I wanted, without it affecting the scales and my waistline.
My two oldest grandsons are just as I was. Throughout the day, we hear, “Meme (or Pop), I’m hungry.” We feed them. Thirty minutes later, we hear their request again. At this point, both remain as skinny as I once was, and their mother still is. Yet, the day will probably come when too much of a good thing will be bad for them, too.
But when it comes to righteousness, or right living, too much of it can never be unhealthy. Jesus said those who hunger after right things will be happy. Living right satisfies, but it’s not the norm. Since we’re born with a sinful nature, we naturally hunger after unhealthy things—and not food, although we could throw that in the mix.
When we accept the offer of Christ’s forgiveness for our sins, He makes us right in position—but that doesn’t mean we’ll always act right in practice. And we often don’t, despite our best efforts. Hungering for right living, however, focuses us in the right direction.
Staying close to God through prayer, Bible study, meditation, fellowship with other believers, and reading good books keep us hungry for the right things. By hearing and seeing God’s instructions in print and through example, we’ll be challenged to hunger after God things, not worldly things.
Not developing an appetite for sinful things also proves beneficial, as does staying away from people and things we know are weaknesses for us and will tempt us. Good friends hold us accountable.
A healthy fear of God helps, too—not fearing He will zap us every time we mess up, but reverencing Him for who He is, for the power He possesses, and for the love He has shown to purchase our salvation.
Develop a good hunger…but for the right things.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at [email protected].