“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”
John 6:35, ESV
I chuckled at this on social media, “I’m not sure how many cookies it takes to be happy, but so far, it’s not twenty-seven.” So true! We want more sugar, but it is never enough to satisfy. Or perhaps salty and crunchy snacks tempt you. Remember the Lay’s Potato Chips slogan — Betcha can’t eat just one!
I began writing this post about how to find freedom from cravings for food. Then I realized food is not our only craving. We crave comfort from so many things other than food to relieve our emotional pain, rejection, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, shame, and worthlessness.
I sought comfort and self-esteem from my job, possessions, achievements, money, and most of all, relationships with men. But nothing ever satisfied me. I imagined the next relationship would make me feel whole, cherished, and loved. Of course, it didn’t. I turned to food and alcohol for comfort. And that didn’t work either.
Only Jesus meets our physical and spiritual needs and allows us to find freedom from cravings. I tell you this from personal experience—whatever else we crave to find comfort; it is never enough. We find eternal satisfaction and security only in Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Seek comfort in Jesus
After Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s five small barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-14), the people followed Jesus across the Sea of Galilee hoping to get more free food and witness more miracles.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35, ESV).
Bread is a symbol of food as a necessity of life. The Jews grumbled because they did not understand the message of the true bread from heaven. The bread and fish satisfied their physical hunger, but many rejected the spiritual gift of eternal life Jesus offered.
Jesus is both our physical and spiritual nourishment. He teaches us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or what we will wear because our Heavenly Father knows what we need (Matthew 6:25-32). Jesus said of the Father, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
Jesus also meets our spiritual needs through the gift of salvation and everlasting life. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life” (John 6:47-48, ESV).
Seek lasting comfort
Robia Scott wrote about counterfeit comforts in her book, Counterfeit Comforts: Freedom from the Imposters That Keep You from True Peace, Purpose and Passion.
Robia describes counterfeit comforts as things we use in order to escape and shut down instead of dealing with our feelings. Some examples are overeating, alcohol, drugs, constant busyness, over working, binge watching TV, gambling, self-harm, shopping, sex, money, and possessions.
The definition of counterfeit is “an imitation to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine.” Satan passes off these counterfeit comforts of the world as the real deal. They might last for a short time, but in the long run we lack peace and satisfaction because we suppress our feelings instead of seeking lasting comfort from Jesus.
God supplied manna for the Israelites in the wilderness to test their obedience and help them rely on Him for their daily bread (Exodus 16:4-5). God allowed them to collect what they needed for the day. If they tried to store some for the next day, it spoiled and grew maggots. (Exodus 16:19-20)
Did you ever open a container of leftover food in the back of the refrigerator? Hmm, how long has this been in here? Then I inspect it for mold and smell it to see if it is edible. In the same way, our inadequate means of finding comfort spoil and never last like the Bread of Life.
Seek the comfort food that endures forever. Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval” (John 6:27, NIV)
Seek the true Comforter
To find freedom from cravings, trust the Holy Spirit who comforts us. In this verse, John uses the Greek word, paraklétos, meaning advocate, intercessor, consoler, comforter, and helper.
Jesus said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:26-27, NIV).
Instead of depending on counterfeit comforts from Satan to find freedom from cravings, choose genuine comfort, peace, and satisfaction from the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
I know Jesus offers a fresh start because He gave me one. He will wipe the slate clean for you, too. It requires surrendering to Him on a daily, or even hourly basis. In 2020, I encountered loneliness, doubt, despair, and death in my family. I realized surrender is work and I am still a work in progress.
I don’t know everything you experienced in 2020. But instead of running to the refrigerator for comfort food, let us seek to run to Jesus for His peace to find freedom from cravings. He is faithful to keep His promises. As Jesus said, “’I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33, NIV).
More posts on “Finding Freedom in 2021”
Read more about finding freedom from darkness and finding freedom from bondage.
How to Find Freedom from Darkness
How to Find Freedom from Bondage
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Wow, what a great read to start the New Year! As always, weight loss is on my resolutions list. I need to read this article daily to help me stay on track!
Carly, thank you for your comment. I appreciate your support!
This is nice for the new year
Susan, I am finding that your blog always seems to come at just the right time! Thank you for your faithfulness.
Thank you so much for your comments and support. It means so much to me!
Seems to be a good message for us in a I want now society. Most of the things we want we don’t need. Only God can provide our needs as Susan so aptly explains.
Thank you Tom. It is so true, we want everything now and hate to wait. I appreciate your comments.
Susan, You couldn’t have presented a more timely message, as we embark upon a New Year (2021).
Your spiritual growth and transparency are encouraging; and your abiding faith and trust in God is apparent…. Trusting that 2021 will be a remarkable year for you!
Doris, thank you so much for your comment and encouragement! It means so much to me.
Good post, I am listening to book called The Craving Mind which discusses all kinds of addictions but so far nothing about Christ. This message would be the perfect last chapter. Thank you
Thanks so much for your comment, Kathy. The book sounds very interesting because I am fascinated by the brain and how we become addicted to things.