The Real Reason You Still Feel Spiritually Starved.
This past Saturday afternoon, on a warm, sunny day, I decided to enjoy lunch outside. Seated in a lounge chair, tucked safely inside the screened enclosure around our pool, I munched on a crisp salad while listening to birds chirp their melodic songs. A soft breeze played with my hair. It was a moment of peace — until it wasn’t.
Suddenly, a muffled squeal broke the silence, followed by a loud thud. Then came the scratching. A chill shot up my spine.
In seconds, a million thoughts flew through my mind: Was it a snake? A raccoon? A squirrel? Some unknown creature from the woods behind our house?
Though the screen separated us, it offered little comfort. Whatever it was — it wanted my food.
When You’re Hungry for More Than Lunch
That moment reminded me of another kind of hunger. A deeper hunger. One that can’t be satisfied by salad or sunshine.
Long ago, I found myself starving — not for food, but for something far more essential.
I craved:
- Confidence
- Reassurance
- Purpose
- Security
I scratched and searched, doing everything I knew to fill the emptiness inside. But there was one problem: I couldn’t get past the screen.
Not the screen around my patio — but the invisible barrier of pride. That tough, silent wall between my striving and God's satisfying presence.
Pride Starves Us. Humility Feeds Us.
Back then, I had my own menu for life.
I was confident in my abilities. I had the answers. I had dreams. I had plans.
But despite it all, I was still spiritually starved.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 (NIV))
It wasn’t until I came to my knees in humility that I finally tasted the richness of God’s love. No longer scratching at the screen — I was invited inside. To the feast. The one He had lovingly prepared for my soul.
What’s Keeping You From the Banquet?
As we hop through the thick woods of life, we catch glimpses of joy, peace, and meaning. We smell it. We hear it. We see others enjoying it.
But sometimes, we stay on the outside looking in — held back by the strong metal screen of pride.
The truth is:
- Pride blinds us to our need for God.
- Pride tricks us into thinking we can do it all.
- Pride keeps us outside, hungry and frustrated.
But humility? It swings the gate wide open.
God Has a Table Prepared… for You
God offers more than survival — He offers soul satisfaction. And it’s not reserved for the perfect, the successful, or the strong.
It’s for:
- The weary
- The broken
- The searching
- The doubting
- The ones who can’t see the way forward
God doesn’t ask us to come perfectly dressed — He invites us in as we are. With our hunger. With our need. With our humility.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5 (NIV))
Let’s Pray
Lord, I confess the moments I let pride keep me from You. I admit the times I trusted my own plans more than Your wisdom. Today, I choose humility. I lay down my striving.
I want what only You can give — peace, purpose, confidence, and hope. Thank You for preparing a place for me at Your table. I come hungry and willing, ready to be filled by You alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What screen is keeping you from stepping into the fullness of what God has for you? Is pride blocking your peace? Is fear keeping you outside the feast?
Bonus article on today’s topic.
Janet
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