Blessed Are You Who Hunger Now

"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." Luke 6:21

I remember going out to lunch with skinny friends or my mom, and I would be all-but appalled when they would cut their sandwich in half and not eat very much (in my eyes). I, in the meantime, could have eaten my entire foot-long sub, the entire bag of chips, all three cookies and downed my drink and still had a snack later that afternoon if offered. I didn't understand how they could eat so little and not be starving. I didn't really grasp the concept that eventually your body gets used to eating less and you become satisfied with what you've eaten.

In fact, I read somewhere that our stomachs are only supposed to be about the size of our fists. People can eat small portions and feel completely full when they've treated their bodies correctly. It takes the rest of us some getting used to, though. I also remember hearing a girl say that when we're full, our bodies naturally let out a big sigh. So many of us eat beyond that point (where our bodies have let out air to try and make room for what's coming in). I've eaten to the point of physically not feeling well just because something tasted good. I'm having to re-train my thinking into realizing that if the food goes to waste, it at least isn't going to my waist. I have to get out of the 'clean-your-plate' mentality and think in smaller portions, taking less when at home or taking some home when possible to share with others or allowing it to be tossed, realizing that it will be 'waste' either way at that point.

If you're accustomed to overeating, though, when you first say no to that extra, you feel hungry. It's half mental and the other half is physical. Your body is used to consuming a lot of calories and has become used to that lifestyle. But, God tells us we're blessed when we're hungry, for we will be satisfied. I think we'll eventually be satisfied with what little we're eating, I think we'll be satisfied with our bodies and how they look, and most of all we will be satisfied with God and not need to get our satisfaction from earthly food. Get ready to be satisfied and laugh! :)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us how to eat. Thank You that You realize it's not fun to be hungry, but thank You for promising blessings along the way. Please help us to be satisfied. We love You and long to glorify You in all we say and do. In Jesus' name, AMEN!