Silent Hunger

I've decided to read/blog through Thin Again even if I read one measly page a day!  What I love about Thin Again is that it delves into the root issues of food and overeating, rather then dealing with the symptoms. I've dealt with symptoms before, and it's like pulling out a weed from the ground surface rather then pulling the weed from the root.

In the Introduction, Thin Again opens talking about everyone having a Silent Hunger.  The Silent Hunger is the inner desire of the soul's deepest need.  I think, as women, we try and fill our Silent Hunger with many things.  Family,  Husband,  Children, Food,  Jobs,  Boyfriends,  Money,  Shopping, and many other things.  For me, it's food.  It's ironic that I try to meet the soul's deep need of Spiritual Hunger with earthly food.  The only thing that can meet that need is God, and no matter how much I try to stifle, stuff or substitute that need, it can never be silenced with anything but God.

I'm asking myself the question,  "What exactly is my Silent Hunger?"  If I look deep down and search my heart, I can pinpoint the Silent Hunger of my heart.  Love.  Acceptance.  Belonging.  To feel protected and safe.  These are the innermost desires of my heart.  When these needs are not met, I panic,  (I'm VERY good at panicking!) and try to fill the void with food instead of trusting the Lord.  But the ONE need that stands out from all of those is acceptance.  Acceptance from others-  to be loved for who I am, warts and all. I have a problem with letting me the real me show, that if someone knew who I really was they wouldn't want to be my friend (due to my imperfections)  or I would have to retreat into my shell because they "knew too much".   I know it sounds so childish to read this!  ;)

Lately, I've really come to grasp the amazing truth of God's acceptance and love for me and there has been a great revolution in my heart and life.  If God accepts me then that is the only thing matters!  I know that He can meet the needs like no one else can.

"If you are willing to listen to the voice of your silent hunger, you will find that God is present to soothe, satisfy, and make you feel secure in ways that nothing of this world can."   -page 13