“I can’t eat another thing,” groans my family after a really big meal. But strangely enough, that remark is quickly followed by “Do you have any pie?” How is it that even when we’re full we still want to eat?
Lysa provides an enlightening answer in Chapter 13. “Overstuffing ourselves with food or drinking… are all desperate attempts to silence the cries of a hungry soul. If we fail to understand how to fill our souls with spiritual nourishment, we will forever be triggered to numb our longings with other temporal physical pleasures.”
Comfort Food
On one level I know that only Jesus can satisfy the deep desires of my heart. Yet, when life is hard, confusing, stressful or even when I’m celebrating, I automatically reach for food, junk food.
When criticism comes, friendships fail, bills mount up and more, I want comfort, peace, wisdom, help, hope, confidence or a just a safe place to hide from the storm. Food may temporarily fill me but I’m not really full.
My Portion
Thankfully, I was reminded today that God is my portion for each and everyone of these needs. And when I feast on Him, my true cravings cease.
My soul constantly needs to be reminded of the sufficiency of this truth. To help it (my soul) out, I made a menu of some no-calorie treats that God offers me.
God is…
A Stronghold For The Oppressed
The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
A Shelter From The Storm
For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm. Isaiah 25:4
My Comfort
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Cor. 1:3
My Peace
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23
My Shield
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
My Healer
And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.” Exodus 15:26
My Provider
Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
My Confidence
For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5
My Helper
“I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. Hebrews 13:5-6
My Light
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
My Support
…the LORD was my support. 2 Samuel 22:19
My Sustainer
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Psalm 54:4
My Very Great Reward
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1
I’ve added these to my stack of 3×5 cards so I know just Who to run to next time a craving comes.
What About You?
How is God your perfect portion today?
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I have loved the concept that the Lord is my portion for a long time, but as I read this chapter, I had a new thought about it.Portion control.
On a diet, portion control is critical. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
But when I think about portion control in terms of God being my Portion, it occurs to me that instead of me controlling my portions, that I need to be controlled by my Portion.
I’m still chewing on that one…
This chapter really spoke to me. I am dwelling on the last sentence, thus verse, in the chapter-”for he satisfies the thirsty and fill sthe hungry with good things.” (Ps 107:9)SATISFIES…God satisfies me, binging/purging/drinking does not satisfy me,it only makes me want more and it numbs me and hinders my relationship with Him and others. “Satisfy” is similar to “complete.” I am only complete in Him and therefore I am satisfied in Him…not in food or anything or anyone else. He is my perfect portion that only satisfies and completes.
Amy
That is so true, Amy. I’ve been keeping a list this week of everything He is for me in each of the different situations that I face. WOW - He really is everything.