Insatiable Appetite!

Last night Karyn was trying to talk to me and there were several kids around her that were distracting her. She wanted to be alone, but the children insisted on being with her. In spite of being home all day with them, they just had to hang around her still -- they still needed her. She exclaimed, "Their appetite is insatiable!" I believe this is true of all needs.

I work with people every day who love food. They need food. They eat more so they need more. They enlarge their stomachs and can fit more in -- as the hole gets bigger, the need increases. The more they eat, the more food they need. The more variety they have, the more diversity they need. The more "taste sensations" they have, the more flavors they need. They have all become insatiable! This is why they have diseases, and come to see the doctor.

I woke up this morning feeling that life is so hard. Why is it so hard? Because I'm not getting a need filled.  Those who have never eaten chocolate cannot desire it.  We need to experience something before we can crave it.   I suppose that such a lack for any one of my needs would make life hard. If I had no food. If I had no water, or shelter, or air, or any basic need I would feel how hard it is. My needs determine how I feel about life. Life is easy when I have all my needs met.  But, looking for others to fill the need is not the truth, no human can truly fill my needs. It's not possible. My appetite is insatiable. The more I have, the more hungry I get, the more I need. It's a viscous, downward spiral that doesn't end.

Because of this, people eventually come to this conclusion and, as Thoreau stated, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." People are either continually trying to fill it, and killing themselves in the process, or they give up trying because it's too hard, and just keep wishing, hoping, and dreaming. It's easier to give up and just remain hungry all the time, never getting your needs filled. Either way, by struggling hopelessly against an insatiable appetite, or giving up trying, we become depressed. Depression is common, even universal!

There is another way, however, through choice. We can choose to stop. We can fast. My advice to my patients who are filled with diseases of indulgence is to stop. Stop eating. Stop filling your stomach. Stop drinking wine. Stop eating sugar. Stop all the food. Eat simple foods. Eat natural foods. Eat small amounts, and give up your indulgences altogether. Fast periodically. When I stopped eating sugar -- for I had such a sweet tooth -- I found that simple foods had their own sweetness, such as carrots, almonds, and green vegetables. It is possible to go back to a simple need, but you'll always be hungry for more. Hunger is so important!

And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 12:6)

Hunger is the most blessed state of life. To be hungry for food, water, clothing, drugs, shelter, money, love, warmth, light, sex, music, alcohol, or any appetite is the only way to actually become permanently filled. Being hungry is the key. Fasting is a state of happiness... "that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full." (D&C 59:13) It is simplicity. It gets down to the basics. It's having the need, but not filling it -- by choosing not to. By choosing not to fill our own needs when we could, we are able to look to another Source of fulfillment -- God.

The only way to fill any need is with God. No matter what the need, God can fill it, permanently and completely. He is infinite. He is love. He is all things to all people. He gives good gifts. He is Eternal. If we are filled by Him, we are filled indeed! There is no lack. There is no need. There is no appetite He cannot fill.

 

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

Perhaps, then, the purpose of our fasting, our lack, our unfulfilled need, is to bring us to God. If we continue to search in the world for fulfillment, we get only more insatiable appetite. However, if we choose to not fill our own needs with that which is in the world, and turn to the Lord, He will fill the need so fully and completely that there is no more lack, no more need, no more desire -- only fulfillment. This is the only way to relieve an insatiable appetite.