“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.” (Luke 6:21) A hungry person seeks. They seek with hope to get some food and be satisfied. The single focus of a hungry man is to seek food. In the same way, a spiritually hungry person will have one single focus to know God. People in the world, even Christians sadly hunger for authority, power, wealth, success, comfort, popularity, happiness…etc. People of God should thirst for truth and righteousness. (Matthew 5:6)
Real: Spiritual hunger is real as physical hunger. As physical hunger cannot be ignored, spiritual hunger cannot be ignored. Real hunger cannot be satisfied with snacks or pickles or junk food, but with wholesome food.
Natural: Spiritual hunger is natural as physical hunger is for any person. God has created human beings with both physical and spiritual hunger. God has placed eternity in the hearts of people. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Intense: Spiritual hunger is intense as physical hunger that cannot be ignored. Some try to satisfy this hunger by doing auspicious works or deeds like charity, pilgrimage, penance etc.
Painful pangs: Hunger could be painful, and so is spiritual hunger. The contraction of the stomach during hunger is called pangs. A deer pants for the water, such is the spiritual quest for God’s presence, for a believer. (Psalms 42:1)
Disoriented: Hunger could make a person desperate and disoriented. As all energy in the body is focused only on the stomach, other parts of the body feel the pain, and the mind experiences anxiety.
Sign of health: One of the simple diagnostic indicators is hunger. Doctors know, if there is hunger, the body is healthy. Hunger is a sign of health. A believer who is hungry for God’s word, God’s love, God’s truth, and God’s righteousness is hale and healthy.
Desires more: God satisfies that spiritual hunger and it also makes a person long for more. Paul exhorts believers to fathom or comprehend his love. (Ephesians 3:17-19) Water that flows from the Temple progresses from ankle deep to the level a person could swim. (Ezekiel 47:3-6)
Am I satisfied?