I am permanently hungry. I wake up hungry, I go to work hungry, I come home hungry, I go to bed hungry. I am the Hunger Games. Although I haven’t had to resort to using a bow & arrow or killing any teenagers. Yet. Catniss Everdeen watch out. If it comes down to it I will fight you to the death if it involves a sausage sandwich or multi pack of Double Decker chocolate bars.
This, of course, is as a result of my marathon training. Big mileage equates to big appetite. As I’m burning a lot of calories during the course of the week I need to replace them at more regular intervals. And by regular I mean all the time. In many ways I resemble a hobbit in my love of around nineteen meals a day. Although I’m considerably taller with slightly less hairy feet. Plus I’ve a soft spot for orcs.
I read somewhere that during a marathon training programme some runners actually put on weight, such are the constant hunger pangs that envelop them. I can relate to that. Thankfully I haven’t piled on the pounds but I can see how that can happen. I’ve witnessed fellow runners gorge themselves after long runs. It was akin to a zombie feeding frenzy. I can’t comment on their table manners because these guys didn’t even wait for the food to be placed on a table. Truly nasty.
I don’t like being hungry. Of course I have no concept of what real hunger is and don’t wish to devalue that but bear with me. When I am hungry I become tetchy and irritable. Or, as Fionnuala might suggest, more tetchy and irritable than normal. There is a word for this that has entered the English vocabulary in recent years. It’s right up there with ‘selfie’ and ‘Brexit’. That word is…. hangry.
Hungry + Angry = Hangry. Alternatively I have heard ‘rungry’ used but that’s just the 26.2 mile brigade trying to over complicate matters. Let’s stick with ‘hangry’ for now. When I need to eat nothing else matters bar the search for sustenance. I can’t focus on anything else until my stomach is full. And God help anyone who gets in my way. It becomes my Number One priority; everything else takes a back seat until my face is being fed. End of.
We all need to eat. Some of us have bigger appetites than others. My mother could live off a slice of toast and twenty four cups of tea a day. People like me need more. I’m fortunate in that I can pretty much eat what I want. Others, like Fionnuala, need to be more careful given her diabetes. Others again choose not to eat and to restrict their calorie intake. This can be voluntarily through a healthy diet plan or a result of an eating disorder which, sadly, seem to be increasingly prevalent in society today.
Hunger takes many forms. Some crave the control and power it brings. Others fear it as they never know where the next meal is coming from for them and their family. Hunger can be a dark, relentless foe. My own pangs pale into insignificance when compared against true, raw hunger where lives are on the line. Again I don’t mean to belittle a subject that still traumatises large swathes of our planet. We take so much for granted and that includes not having to worry about where our next mouthful is coming from.
Hunger can be a life or death matter. Or it can be a trivial gripe of a spoilt, middle aged Northern Irish runner. It affects all of us, however. Everybody gets hungry at some stage. And I’m not just talking about our stomachs here. We all have dreams, goals, ambitions. We all hunger after something. It can be a new physique, a new job or that ‘must have’ accessory. We want as oppose to need. We never seem to be satisfied with what we have. We hunger for more, more, more.
Hunger is a dangerous beast to tame. It can wreak havoc when that need relates to addictive patterns and destructive behaviours. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and power are but a few of the glittering gems we desire. We ache for them, the insatiable urge to fill the void within us. Yes, be hungry. Have dreams and hopes. But hunger after what is noble. Use you hunger to change your street, town or country. Hunger for love. Hunger for justice. Hunger for all that is good.
Make your hunger known.
What do you hunger for?
Black Thoughts 
Love this! Thank you for the reminder to hunger after all that is good, especially to hunger after love. God bless 🙏🏻
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You’re welcome. Thank you 🙂
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This is so fun post Sergeant Stephen. Funny how I am watching MRE taste tests and here you are talking about food and not having enough of it. 😀 I would suggest frequent meals, a tiny portions and some healthy snacks. You can also invent a diet that includes a lot of nutrients and carbs to fill you up. I heard porridges are very good for that matter. 😀 I prefer wheat based ones, but you can do whatever you like. 😀 Bon appetit. 😀
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Hey you! Justa word chez Black&Co. to tell you: what’s going on with your writing???? It’s become XXX… I don’t dare to “like” or comment anymore… because, well… I’m shocked… sorry if this shocks you as well, but… just wanted you to know…
Have a good day!
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I have no idea what are you talking about. Can you be little more specific?
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I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean by ‘xxx’?
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B – are you referring to AFracturedFaith as we are a family blog and do not post adult content – Stephen
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Please comment on my blog or contact me via FB, Twitter or email. I need clarification on your words. And this is someone else’s blog. I have no power of deleting messages posted here.
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There again, it depends… can be cakes… ordinary food… fruits… and in the “anger” departement… well… it’s true that when I feel down or drained for some reason I start eating bad… but still I can handle it… more or less… 😀
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Thanks for the post! Pretty sure I’m addicted to food, maybe just sugar. Lord have mercy.
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A great reminder post that if we hunger and thirst after God and His righteousness all these other things we need He supplies.
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Thank you 🙂
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Well I can totally relate but mine is more so on the binge eating level rather than from running. I know that hangry feeling
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I have been a binge eater in the past as well. It was largely driven by OCD. Hang in there 🙂
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Stat hungry, stay foolish!!!
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You are such fun! And yes, of course, we should each hunger after “whatesoever is good, lovely, noble… praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8)… The things of God… As always, your posts bring me a smile while simultaneously providing much food for thought.
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That’s always my intention Lynn 🙂 enjoy your day!
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Brilliant, thought provoking post, as always! I love the way you bring that touch of humour to your posts too.
Hayley 😊
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Thanks Hayley. That’s a big compliment coming from you 🙂
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I love this look at hunger. It took a turn I didn’t expect. That makes me happy. So glad I found your blog. ☺
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You’re welcome. I like to mix humour with darker subject matter. It helps draw the reader in. I’m glad we have connected and look forward to talking to you more and reading your posts.
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Good luck with your marathon training.
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Thank you Majella. Belfast Marathon in May 😳🏃🏻
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Will it be your first?
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No my eighth lol
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I wonder how many calories your fingers burned off tapping out all those words. At least enough to eat a pickle I’d bet. 🙂 btw great post ad always! 🙂
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Thank you
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Hmm… I have a tee shirt that has a Trex chasing a stick family that says: Your stick family is delicious. 🙂
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I can relate great post🙏
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Thank you.
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Your welcome👍
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I can relate! I hunger for many good things in life but my HANGRY moments lead me to the dark side – alcohol. Hangry on any level is never good. I also add to that lonely and tired. Anytime I allow myself to be too hungry, angry, lonely or tired (HALT), I tend to reach for the opposite of what I need or hunger for. What is not good for me. Thanks for the reminder that I need to fill all parts of me, not just my tummy!
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You’re welcome. HALT. I like that 🙂
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I’m 2 months sober and I’m hungry for mental peace.
I diden’t drink because it was fun, i drank because it brought me peace. i could sleep, i could focus, even my “time of the month” was not as painful.
hungry for truth, hungry for peace, hungry to not feel hungry.
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Congratulations on your sobriety. I hope you find the peace you are searching for and our blog helped you a little.
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great post steven! all very valid points. Not sure exactly what I hunger for? just hunger for too much? xxx
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When you find it you will probably find the key to your destiny. Happy hunting 🙂
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Currently, I made chocolate chip oatmeal muffins, most of them are mini muffins. I want one of those.
Brilliant writing. Very easy to read and relatable. 🙂
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Thanks T.R. I’m hungry now 😂
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Haha!
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I love your blog. Hilarious, poignant, and inspirational!
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Thank you. That’s really pleasing to hear. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I am hungry for our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above and HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ and HIS HOLY GHOST ( HOLY SPIRIT ), they are all THREE in ONE!!
God Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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