I now understand what it means to be hungry for the word. I have heard and even spoke these words myself, along with saying feed your spirit man. However, I didn’t fully understand the depth of these phrases until now.

I struggle with a few things throughout my journey, but for this devotional, we are going to focus on one. I am a take-charge type of person. I want to be in control when I know that God is in control. I pray every day for God to lead me. Yet, there are times when I am so goal-driven, or task minded that I spend less time with God. I begin to focus on checking the boxes more than I focus on just being in God’s presence. I get caught up in the “God Projects,” rather than what is seen in the heart.

Each time that I begin to lose focus or I have lost it for too long, God draws me back to Himself. When I go time without being in the presence of God, I lose my peace. I lose my confidence. Doubt creeps up into my heart. Fear beings to overwhelm me. I am confused and uncertain, among other negatives. Who wants to feel that way?

These thoughts and feelings are meant to alarm me. My spirit man is alarming me that there is a need that is only satisfied with God’s Word. My spirit man is hungry for God’s presence. We are continually being drawn to God and our heavenly dwellings–this is how we are created. The word encourages and equips our spirit. Without the word, we lack vital elements that are needed to survive. Thus I must feed my spirit with what is required. The same applies to our human bodies. What happens to you and your attitude when you are physically hungry? Now, think about how you spiritually feel and act when you are away from God? And the difference when you are not away from God?

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.