Chet stood in line at the coffee shop, his stomach growling louder than the hum of the espresso machine.
It had been a long morning, and he hadn't eaten since his rushed breakfast—a measly slice of toast. As the line inched forward, his patience wore thin.
Ahead of him, a young woman fumbled with her order. 'Uh, can I get an oat milk latte? No, wait—almond milk. Oh, and maybe decaf? Ugh, no—scratch that. Regular.'
Chet clenched his fists. Why can't she just make up her mind?! he thought, glaring at her. He felt his anger bubbling up, ready to boil over.
Suddenly, his friend Marcus walked in and spotted him. 'Hey, Chet!' Marcus called out, grinning. 'You look like you're about to punch someone. Let me guess—no lunch yet?'
Chet exhaled sharply. 'You know me too well, Marcus. I can't deal with indecisive people when I'm starving.'
Marcus laughed, handing him a granola bar from his pocket. 'Here. Emergency rations. You've got to stop letting hunger turn you into the Hulk.'
Reluctantly, Chet took the granola bar, unwrapped it, and took a bite. The sweetness hit his tongue, and almost immediately, he felt his tension begin to fade. 'Thanks, man. I really need to get this under control.'
'You do,' Marcus agreed. 'But hey, it's progress. At least you didn't say anything to her this time.'' Chet nodded, a sheepish grin forming. He realized that Marcus was right—he hadn't lashed out. Maybe he could learn to pause and check himself before his anger got the better of him.
From that day on, Chet made a conscious effort to carry snacks with him, eat regular meals, and recognize the early signs of his hanger. It wasn't always easy, but over time, he found himself snapping less and laughing more.
In this example of physical hunger and a need to eat to preserve benevolent feelings and actions, we see a parallel with spiritual hunger. The story's moral is that we need to have a daily intake of the Word to react in a Spirit-filled manner to everyday challenges.
So, be wise and remember Chet when you feel weak, sick, or fearful. It only takes a granola barsized bite to be back on course.