Are you in need of a new appetite for God? Friend, I am! I need one for food, too.
Folks champion chocolate. And a part of me cheers along with them.
“Choc-o-late! Choc-o-late!”
But there’s a part of me that cringes.
Here’s why.
I love chocolate. A lot.
But chocolate doesn’t love me–not really.
The headaches, racing heart, and weight gain assure.
But like a drug, I crave it.
Maybe it’s a magnesium deficiency. Low counts give rise to the question. Nonetheless, the craving lingers.
A few Christmases ago, I landed in the ER. My heart took on a mind of its own and started sprinting with a rate of 155 beats–waaay too fast for a forty-something.
Hello AFib.
Images of my own father’s battle with heart issues and their byproducts danced in my head. Visits to the cardiologist office found me surrounded by white-haired folks.
Me and my brown hair stuck out like a red poppy in a sea of white tulips. I felt certain.
A friend, who happened to be a nutritionist, came alongside and said, “Let me help.” I threw up the white flag and nodded permission.
That was the best decision I’ve ever made concerning my heart, my appetite, and my health.
We worked together for several months. I lost 43 lbs, although that wasn’t the goal. Health remained central.
I slept through the night–finally. I woke (hallelujah!) without headaches. The bags and discoloration under my eyes disappeared. Itching on my hand and foot simply exited the picture. What felt like an obstruction in my throat did too.
The pattern change in eating and supplements came because I clung to the hope of health and took intentional steps in its direction. But staying the course found me in a state in which I desired to please Suzi, my friend, more than God.
Ouch! I needed a new appetite.
Nine months after beginning the journey with Suzi, I quit. I couldn’t keep up the people-pleasing pace any longer. It stressed me out!
I loved how I looked and felt, and she was fantastic. But I stood too absorbed in pleasing her versus God.
The eating habits shifted just a bit after venturing on my own. Then more. And more. Sweets and chocolate eventually regained far too much ground in this appetite of mine.
And although I suppose there’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate here and there, maybe even a sweet or two, it creates a hurtful appetite within some of us. Trust me–I’d live off candy store goods if given opportunity.
But not everything permissible is beneficial.
Although the Bible offers this in light of sexual immorality (1 CO 6:12), it proves true with food and other areas of our lives.
Sometimes we simply need a new appetite.
Today I find myself with dark circles under the eyes and several other returning symptoms. But also today, I’ve made a declaration: I need a new appetite.
Greens and chicken, berries and nuts–they call my name. But this new appetite is not only for the eat-it-with-a-fork-and-spoon food. I also need a new appetite, a healthier one, for Jesus.
Sooo…people pleasing must go.
I’ll be eating those salads tossed with arugula and spinach. (Had some for breakfast as a matter of fact!) Raspberries and blueberries too. But I’ll also devour more intimacy with the Lord, forging a new spiritual appetite, too.
How?
Here are five ways toward a new appetite for God.
Feel free to chew on a few of these, too.
- Pray this more often: “Show me what’s in my heart, Lord, that which doesn’t belong in me. Then take it. Heal me.”
- Wait and watch until He points the direction–even when the flesh screams, “Go! Just do it yourself.”
- Have hard conversations God ordains, even the ones that cause a girl’s stomach to churn or palms to sweat.
- Transparency proves prudent. Begin to write and share more vulnerable messages–to allow God and others to see and use those stories of His glory.
- Allow God to teach His definition of the word believe. Trust, listen, digest, and allow His understanding to nourish a more intimate relationship with the Almighty.
How about you? Have you been considering a new appetite, too? If so, I’d love to hear what the Lord is speaking to you, how you’re changing up the appetite. Throw those thoughts in the comments below.
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Have a blessed week, friend, one that defies comfort, familiarity, and habits of the past. 😉
Yes I struggle with sweets also! But unwrapping the scriptures and allowing Gods word to fulfill the nutrition that only God can give. Sweet to the spirit!
Sweet to the spirit for certain, Dee. Good to see you again this week.
Count me in the sweets crowd, too. 🙁 I appreciate you sharing this part of your story, Kristi. My mom had afib for years so I’ve wondered if it will pass down to me. Praying for a correction of all my appetites as well!
Those sweets…..gah! I’m sorry to hear your mom had afib too. Safe to assume medication helped her, Lisa?
Oh Kristi! I hear ya! Several years ago, I lost quite a bit of weight doing low-carbs. But as I went back to my old ways, weight crept up on me again. It’s true. I need a stronger appetite for Jesus than for food! Love your list of 5 things at the end here.
Pinning this today!
Those old ways…they get us, don’t they?! I thought for sure I wouldn’t go back to those old habits. Gah! Help me, Jesus. Thanks for pinning this one, Betsy. I appreciate you much, friend.
Thank you, Kristi, for your transparency. Those old patterns are sure hard to break. Love your thoughts to “chew on.” Praying for a growing hunger for God and healthy fuel for both of us.
Praying alongside you, Crystal.
I have had a very similar experience with being forced to change the food my body craves- I love this analogy
This is so good. Having an appetite for God’s word and time with God is definitely something we all need. Doing a year-long Bible study with a small group of ladies have helped me to have an appetite for God.
I so identify with your nutritional healing testimony. I experienced similar results several years ago, and I allowed the winds of life to push me off course in few ways. I feel the negative results in my body. I appreciate your application to our spiritual well-being, and thank you for also supplying a suggested game plan for turning the tide!