Feed Yourself

From the time you were conceived and growing in your mother’s womb, you have been fed, nurtured, and loved. As you grew into a tiny person, everyone awaited your arrival  — longing to see who God had created and knitted together in your mother’s womb. On the day of your arrival, you cried, you smiled, you ate, you slept, and you cuddled–bringing joy to everyone around you.

For many months, you did more of the same, but gradually, things began to change. You wanted your independence and slowly began doing things on your own, like taking your bottle, and eating anything your little digits could grab and place into your mouth (or the surrounding areas). Feeding yourself wasn’t always easy, but it was satisfying. This physical fuel kept you energized for hours.

As we grow older and mature in our walk with the Lord, it’s necessary to fuel up often, but physical sustenance isn’t sufficient. The troubles of this world sometimes weigh us down, and if we’re not careful to refuel regularly, we can become spiritually empty. Perhaps you’ve felt that void I speak of — feeling as if no one cares, feeling heartbroken, feeling alone, or feeling lost. Maybe you were expecting something special on your birthday or anniversary, and it didn’t come. Perhaps your dream of opening a restaurant fell through because you couldn’t get a loan. Daily disappointments and ordinary struggles take a toll on us, and if we’re not careful, they can distract us from the one who can change our situation from empty to full in an instance.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28

What I’ve learned as a child of the Most High is that we all encounter hard times. How we approach these tumultuous times in our lives determines the trajectory of our future. When I’m feeling empty, I like to go on a feeding frenzy. This may sound unhealthy if you’re counting calories, but what if you’re counting blessings?

“I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. ~Psalm 81:10

Here are a few tips for Fueling Up and Counting Blessings on your Feeding Frenzy:

1. Go to church.
   1. Go alone or take a friend.
   2. Take notes. Jot down scriptures mentioned in the sermon, and study them later.
   3. Share what you learned at church with friends, and invite them to come along next time.
   4. There’s plenty of spiritual sustenance there.
2. Read the word of God each day.
   1. There’s an app for everything. Find a bible app, and start a reading plan.
   2. Even a verse a day is a good start. Just do it!
   3. Share your verse a day on social media. I use Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.
   4. Gradually build your stamina by reading more each day.
3. Count your blessings
   1. Keep a journal that chronicles your journey. This might be a daily reflection using your verse of the day.
   2. Write notes to yourself as God answers prayers, and collect them in a jar. On Christmas day or New Year’s Eve, open the jar, and count your blessings.
   3. Share your testimony with others. Sometimes, all it takes is one testimony to help others to fill the void that exists within them.
   4. Thank God each day for his grace and mercy; but most of all, thank him for NOT giving us what we truly deserve.

Always remember that when you see the glass as half empty, you can always pour more into it. If you’re feeling spiritually weak, tired, or hungry, go on a feeding frenzy. Seek and ye shall find, ask and it will be given to you, knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7).