In the past, I was afraid to get hungry.  I snacked in between meals to avoid hunger.  When I dieted, I grazed on “free” foods throughout the day. Once God showed me that I could wait until my body was hungry to eat, I learned hunger was not as painful as I had thought.  He showed me when I depend on Him, He gives me strength.

God recently showed me I had been eating more food than my body needs.  Through prayer, I realized it was partly stress eating.  However, most of my problem was that I was afraid to be hungry.  I had to remember God takes care of all my needs, including hunger.  Psalm 27:14 is “Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  God gives me the strength to wait for my next meal, even if I am hungry.  Even though hunger is uncomfortable, it will not kill me to wait until mealtime.

Waiting is painful, but possible with God’s help.  There are times when I am hungry and have to wait before I can eat.  God has shown me that hunger will not hurt me.  When I pray, He focuses my mind on something else so I am not thinking about food.  Hunger has been called the best seasoning, in that food tastes better when I am hungry.  I believe hunger is a God given sense that helps me know when to eat. Even if my body signals hunger at a time that I cannot eat, I know I can trust Him and wait for both hunger and mealtimes. With God, I no longer fear hunger.  I trust in Him for strength and know He provides my next meal.