In America, most of us rarely experience true lack. Our shelves are stocked, our pantries are full, and even when we “go without,” it’s often by choice, not necessity. Because of that, we sometimes trick ourselves into believing we are self-sufficient. Our needs are met, and we can handle life on our own. However this false sense of security can seep into our spiritual lives, making us forget our desperate need for the Lord every single day.

Fasting reminds us of that need. When you feel hunger pangs or the urge for the thing you’ve given up, it is a reminder that there is something deeper, more essential, that your soul is craving: the presence of God. One of the more popular lines in the Psalms comes from David in Psalm 42. Psalm 42 is the opening chapter of the 2^nd section of the Psalms. The book of Psalms is broken down into 5 sections or “books.” Psalm 42 opens book two with these words:

So, despite our continually full bellies, our souls truly long for the communion, or relationship, with our Creator.

David understood spiritual hunger. He compared his longing for God to the desperate thirst of a deer searching for water. That image isn’t about a polite desire—it’s about survival. Just as water is life to a deer, so the presence of God is life to our souls.

When our stomachs growl during fasting, or when we miss the thing we’ve laid down, we can either focus on the discomfort or let it remind us of what’s really missing when we live without God’s presence. The truth is, no amount of possessions, entertainment, or even relationships can fill the God-shaped space in our lives. We were created to hunger and thirst for Him.

The danger comes when we satisfy that hunger with substitutes. Just like junk food can temporarily fill your stomach but leave you weak and unhealthy, the things of this world can mask your spiritual hunger while leaving your soul malnourished. But when you feed on the Word of God, when you drink deeply of His presence in prayer and worship, you find a satisfaction nothing else can provide.

As you continue this fast, ask yourself: Do I hunger for God like a deer pants for water? Or have I numbed that hunger with things that don’t last?

Today, when you feel hunger or cravings from your fast, stop and pray: “Lord, more than food or comfort, I need You. Stir my soul to thirst for You above all else.” Spend 10 extra minutes in Scripture today, feeding your spirit instead of your flesh. Study what you have read, use tools like study Bibles, biblewebapp.org for word studies, or even ask Chat GPT to give you the full context of what you are reading and watch the Word come alive in your heart and mind.

A hungry heart for God is a blessed heart, because it positions you to be filled. Jesus Himself says:

Don’t despise the hunger you feel today, it is the very invitation of God to experience His fullness.