Life Keeps Coming Up CHOCOLATE...

As if I didn’t already savor and swallow copious quantities of chocolate (and countless cups of coffee) over the holidays, in this New Year, life keeps coming up "chocolate". Yes, right here at the start of all-things-healthy, and in the midst of resolution lists, I’ve resolved to focus on chocolate… 

Well, sort of. I mean, I had you at the mere mention of it, right?

• Just when I'd started my diet, a friend handed me a gift with imprinted words, "Chocolate Fixes Everything" - and I couldn't argue. (And in this New Year, I have so much I'd like to "fix" - how about you?!) - Keep reading! ;-)
• Then social media surprised me with one of those anniversary posts, celebrating my publisher's early release of my "Living a Chocolate Life" Bible study. (Funny timing, right?!) 
• Friends shared posts pertaining to chocolate. One even sent me breaking news sharing more health benefits of dark chocolate (see, I knew this would work with my New Year's goals...): "Chocolate May Be A Better Cough Suppressant..."
• My publicist reminded me it's "National Chocolate-something Day" and I celebrated again...of course. 
• And we’re only weeks away from the airing of Nebraska Public Television’s Chocolate Life documentary.  

So you see, life keeps coming up "chocolate"...I'd better roll with it.

Virtual chocolate (like the sweet image above) grabs our attention, even when we’re not grabbing an actual bite – or even when we are. Why?

Maybe it’s simply something that makes us smile. We relate to it (and to its tempting qualities…). We revel in its beauty; we know its aroma and taste. Chocolate is rich. Sweet. Satisfying. And chocolate gifts can be lavish – even extravagant. (Don't even get me started...)

So, my friends, for the next few weeks, let’s talk chocolate. Wait…better yet, let’s talk about topics our favorite confection can take us to…

• Temptation...and Sweet Surrender

• Savoring God's Sweet Grace...When Life's Left a Bitter Taste

• Seeking Satisfaction

So maybe chocolate doesn't "fix" everything...but by way of sweet chocolate analogy, we go to the One who can...and does. We search His Word; we seek His strength; we trust Him.

If you’ve sampled my Chocolate Life devotional or savored the Living a Chocolate Life Bible study, you’ve touched on some of these topics. We’re going to dig in a little differently.

Will you “resolve” to follow me as I lead you down a chocolate-rich road? We’ll savor nuggets of God’s Word as we explore some timely and tough topics. Look for blog posts and social media posts with: Scripture, devotions, questions, …and even the occasional recipe.  Comment, chat with me, ask questions…We’ll look at life – your chocolate life – in the light of God’s grace.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!" Psalm 34:8

Satisfied!

"And my God will fully supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

I have a craving, and I want something that will satisfy me! At least one candy bar claims that it satisfies. So this is my theory: if one candy bar satisfies, then an entire box ought to make my day, right? Or so my craving says.

What do you crave? 

Chocolate-dipped strawberries? 

Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies with a tall glass of milk?



A juicy steak with all the fixings? (Occasionally, cravings do exist beyond chocolate, you know!)

It is so natural to crave our favorite foods. God created us with physical hunger that needs sustenance and craves satisfaction. There is a hole in our stomachs that longs to be filled with what satisfies most. God provided every nutrient necessary to satisfy our physical needs, but He didn't stop there. He created fabulous flavors and vast varieties of foods for us to enjoy.

And women have clearly shown that chocolate satisfies us the most, haven't we? But what other craving do we have besides physical hunger? 

What do we crave most in life?

Maybe we are hungry for love because we are lonely, or strength to overcome our many weaknesses. Perhaps we are craving peace because our world is full of strife, or comfort because we are anxious or afraid, dissatisfied or depressed.

In our daily walk in this sin-filled world, we often feel emotional and spiritual hurt and hunger.

God created us with spiritual hunger that needs sustenance and craves satisfaction. Sometimes we try to fill that hunger with things this world has to offer, but nothing truly satisfies. 

Thanks be to God for His redemption in Christ's blood! In His rich mercy, He filled us with faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are saved. We are forgiven. Only Jesus satisfies our hunger for a Savior!

God's Word tells us how He satiates our other spiritual needs too. About our hunger for love, God says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1). 

In our cravings for strength, "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29).

We long for peace, and Jesus says, "My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). 

We hunger for comfort and learn we have a Father "who comforts us in all our affliction" (2 Corinthians 1:4). 

He fills us and satisfies our every hunger and craving, every need as only He can. Living a chocolate life, we find satisfaction in Him!

Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Satisfy my every need according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus! In His name I pray. Amen.

From A Chocolate Life by Deb Burma © 2012 CPH. Reprinted with permission