Handling the Little Urges

Handling the Little Urges

10. Jan, 2011 6 Comments

I could make a long list of the little urges that draw me to satisfy my cravings; Starbucks mocha, apple pie with ice cream, and one of my all time favorites is my wife’s coffee cake. Entering 2011 has me thinking about what I crave and it goes far deeper than what I enjoy eating. Cravings are little urges that influence choices.

Those little urges are not always wrong but they need to be controlled. We all have an appetite for what feels good. There are many things that capture our attention like new outfits, recognition, filling our bank account, or connecting on Facebook. These things can make us feel good but these little urges can grow to captivate and consume our time, resources, and energy. Acting upon these little urges aren’t always wrong. But when our cravings take higher priority than God’s desires for our lives it leads to a long list of regrets.

The nation of Israel learned this the hard way. The opening chapters of Isaiah provide along list of what they craved; power, bribes, wealth, status, pleasure. They craved personal gain without regard for God. What they felt like doing mattered most.

There is a stark contrast between Isaiah and the people of Israel. Isaiah chose to crave more of God. He recognized his appetite for more could only be satisfied by God. This led to choosing good instead of evil. He refused to follow the little urges for personal gain. He did not find significance in flattering those in power to gain position, pursuing possessions or using his position as prophet to manipulate others. He purposed to live in a right relationship with God.

Our cravings point to a void we are seeking to fill. Pursuing our own way apart from God diminishes His influence and leads to an empty feeling. Filling that void with feel good things leads to disappointments. A right relationship with God brings lasting satisfaction and helps us choose right over wrong.

I will still crave my Starbucks mocha and will enjoy feeling good with each cup full. But, I accept it can’t bring lasting satisfaction. That comes through a tenacious pursuit of God. A right relationship with God leads us to a right perspective of what brings a fulfilling life and shortens the list of regrets.
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You may find this recent post helpful: Thriving Spiritually

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6 Responses to “Handling the Little Urges”

  1. Bruce Hammond 11. Jan, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    Great article Gerry. Thanks. May we crave His
    presence.

  2. Gerry True 11. Jan, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    Thanks! Ditto that!

  3. Kingsly 20. Jan, 2011 at 12:50 am

    Yes, Jesus is our Satisfaction..let us heed to the little urges of His Spirit and crave for a lasting satisfaction. Well Said brother..

  4. Gerry True 20. Jan, 2011 at 8:39 am

    Thank you Kingsly. Your comment is right on! Jesus is our satisfaction and we are blessed to have His Spirit urging us to walk in truth as Christ did.

  5. Drew Oglesby 02. Feb, 2011 at 1:51 am

    Hey Gerry, its been awhile. I just started following your blog. Great post!

  6. Gerry True 02. Feb, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    Hi Drew,

    Thanks for checking out the blog. Good to hear from you! Glad you found the post helpful.