Constantly Craving
by Marilyn Meberg
Marilyn Meberg has a background as an English teacher and as a counselor. It shows. This book reads like a psychology/literature class about why we want more out of life. She hosts the discussion like a fun and quirky, but nevertheless scholarly, professor. It’s not really a Biblical study on the issue of craving. While she talks about God, she doesn’t really draw lessons from Scripture. Mostly her stories and teaching emerge from personal experience, people she’s met, literature, and psychological research.
There’s a run of books right now about craving food and other idols we set up in our lives as we try to fill voids and find satisfaction apart from Christ. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’d suggest you keep searching. Meberg even tells you at the end that she avoided all of the commonly talked about cravings and deep hungers that lead to addiction. So, how much you enjoy this book will likely depend on what you expected when you picked it up.
With an emphasis on the craving for more in our relationships like our marriages and friendships, this book will most likely benefit those struggling in these areas. Meberg talks about issues like the way our childhood impacts what we long for as adults and how we carry those expectations into future interactions with others.
It is interesting to see how she talks, not just about the stereotypical cravings that drive us to idolatry and addiction, but perhaps cravings we should fuel and feed—and healthy ways to do just that. Why do we crave more out of friendship and how can we be that kind of friend? Why do we crave solitude and how do you achieve it? Even more interesting perhaps is the question–what do we do if we don’ t crave solitude? How do we still achieve times of quiet with the Lord?
I also enjoyed the reminder to just relax and laugh sometimes. I have a tendency to take myself too seriously and to treat my every mistake as a sign of serious character flaws. She has a way of laughing at forgetfulness and misplaced keys and moving right along. Am I clumsy and forgetful? You betcha. Time to get over that and move on to more important things.
Again, enjoying this book depends so much on what you expect when you pick it up and whether or not her particular style of writing from a psychology and literature background are your cup of tea.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
