Hunger is God’s blessing to mankind. Back in medical school, one of the things we learned was how to spot the “red flag” symptoms of cancer. Things like unintentional weight loss, persistent fatigue, and especially loss of appetite. That last one is simple but very telling. When someone stops wanting food, it often means something deeper is wrong.
And you know what? That same truth plays out in other areas of life too.
Spiritually, loss of appetite shows up when prayer feels like a burden, when reading the Bible becomes something you keep postponing, or when fellowship with other believers no longer excites you. It’s like a quiet warning signal that something is off. Just like with illness, it’s better to notice early and deal with it before it grows.
The same goes for our mental and relational health. In psychology, there’s a word called anhedonia. It means losing interest in things that once brought you joy. Maybe it’s hobbies, friendships, or even your work. If you find yourself slipping into that space, it’s a sign you may need rest, support, or even professional help before things get worse.
The Bible puts it beautifully in Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Hunger is a sign of life. When you lose your appetite for God or for the good things that once nourished you, it’s worth pausing and asking why.
So here’s the encouragement: from time to time, check your appetite. It’s one of the simplest ways to know if you’re thriving or if something deeper needs healing.
What about you? Have you noticed times when you lost your appetite…spiritually, emotionally, or even relationally…and what helped you get it back? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Have an amazing weekend.
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5 thoughts on “ANOREXIA”
I have had many times when appetite has been lost mostly spiritually but i have noticed a pattern that it always creep in when worry comes visiting and so i have learnt from God to always carry a 3P mentality about God.
His Presence.
His Parenthood.
His Power.
Another lesson learnt
I plaster Sir
Thank you for sharing your thoughts
Thank you Dr. Samuel for this beautiful write-up.
Most times, I have a low appetite, but I’ve had to learn to eat even when I’m not feeling hungry, just to make sure I’m nourishing my body. It’s the same with my spiritual life, when I’m dry or unmotivated, I recall the words from a sermon that ‘Fellowship with God is not based on feelings, but on faith’. It helps me stay grounded.
Your article really resonated with me.
I read and couldn’t put up a comment and went straight to repost!
There are times we often have these feelings, the best is to treat it ASAP
Lately, I’ve been experiencing a loss of appetite, which I’ve attributed to excessive stress, though I’m not sure if that’s the actual cause. But it seems I will have to take caution. Thanks so much Sir.