---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you get a hankering to talk or…"
description: "\"When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by speaking the word of God. For all the times you..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg"
---

#  When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what…

![“When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by speaking the word of God. For all the times you would have done the activity that you gave up for Lent, replace it by reading the word of God. Christians should always be drawing closer to God.” quote by Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg)

> “When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by speaking the word of God. For all the times you would have done the activity that you gave up for Lent, replace it by reading the word of God. Christians should always be drawing closer to God.”

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Replace Lent cravings with reading Scripture to stay spiritually focused and avoid old habits.

**In simple terms:** Read the Bible instead of old habits.

Key Takeaway

Turn cravings into prayerful reading.

Themes

spiritual discipline habit replacement faith growth

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

spiritual inspirational

When to use this quote

- Lent observance
- daily routine
- temptation moments

Key Concepts

scripture meditation self-control

Questions to Reflect On

- What scripture will you read when tempted?
- How does reading God’s word change your focus?

A Different Perspective

May be difficult without strong habit support.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christians/) [Closer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closer/) [Complain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complain/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Drawing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drawing/) [Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave/) [Gave Lent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-lent-599287/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Hankering Speaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hankering-speaking-2988813/) [Lent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lent/) [Lent Replace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lent-replace-2988812/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Replace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/replace/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Speaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speaking/) [Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk/) [Times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/times/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word/) [Word God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-god/) [Would](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/)

## Related quotes

> [“Last chance to get out and live a normal life,” he said. “Are you kidding? I gave that up for Lent,” she answered with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/last-chance-to-get-out-and-live-a-normal-life-he-said-are-you-kidding/)

[Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/)

> [Let's resume everything we gave up for Lent without any newfound spiritual insights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-s-resume-everything-we-gave-up-for-lent-without-any-newfound/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I kinda don't do guilt. I gave it up for Lent years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-boyle/i-kinda-don-t-do-guilt-i-gave-it-up-for-lent-years-ago/)

[Greg Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-boyle/)

> [Let's resume everything we gave up for Lent without any new found spiritual insights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-s-resume-everything-we-gave-up-for-lent-without-any-new-found/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It is obvious that God is looking at the heart when sacrifices are given to Him. He takes no delight in those who give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/it-is-obvious-that-god-is-looking-at-the-heart-when-sacrifices-are/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [The word of God is complete, and those who don't preach the word in its fullness are false teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/the-word-of-god-is-complete-and-those-who-don-t-preach-the-word-in/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [The word of God is a Christian's instructions for life. God speaks to us through His word, so we cannot constantly be running on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/the-word-of-god-is-a-christian-s-instructions-for-life-god-speaks-to/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/lent-is-a-fitting-time-for-self-denial-we-would-do-well-to-ask/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Doubts about faith naturally happen when tragedies shred out faith. But that is what's so special about belief in Jesus and the way. Belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/doubts-about-faith-naturally-happen-when-tragedies-shred-out-faith/)

[Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/)

> [“God is not interested in your art but, your heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/god-is-not-interested-in-your-art-but-your-heart/)

[Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/)

> [“A guilty suffering spirit is more open to grace than an apathetic or smug soul.' - Bread &amp; Wine (day 5)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-hong/a-guilty-suffering-spirit-is-more-open-to-grace-than-an-apathetic-or/)

[Edna Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-hong/)

> [People die, we must accept these as some sort of miracle of Jesus. Jesus is special, and so is lie. So if you live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/people-die-we-must-accept-these-as-some-sort-of-miracle-of-jesus/)

[Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/)

> [A full stomach praises Lent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italian-proverb/a-full-stomach-praises-lent/)

[Italian Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italian-proverb/)

> [Many places you can go to enjoy but only one place you can visit if there is a problem. None other than the Lord,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/many-places-you-can-go-to-enjoy-but-only-one-place-you-can-visit-if/)

[Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/)

> [Owe money at Easter and Lent will seem short to thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/owe-money-at-easter-and-lent-will-seem-short-to-thee/)

[James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/)

## More by Monica Johnson

> [The word of God is complete, and those who don't preach the word in its fullness are false teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/the-word-of-god-is-complete-and-those-who-don-t-preach-the-word-in/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Holiness through Christ's Spirit is the accountability every Christian should be striving towards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/holiness-through-christ-s-spirit-is-the-accountability-every/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [God is so unique in giving His people ways to fellowship, witness, and remember what a mighty and merciful God He is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/god-is-so-unique-in-giving-his-people-ways-to-fellowship-witness-and/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Christians cannot be so joined to this world that they forget who they serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/christians-cannot-be-so-joined-to-this-world-that-they-forget-who/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Make intercessory prayer a priority in your life and the life of your family. It will cause you to be more empathetic, less self-obsessed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/make-intercessory-prayer-a-priority-in-your-life-and-the-life-of-your/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [As a Christian, we can't stand on the sidelines with no team jersey or team colors to show our allegiance to Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/as-a-christian-we-can-t-stand-on-the-sidelines-with-no-team-jersey-or/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Writers do draw inspiration from their own lives, which, quite frankly, might be more interesting than fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/writers-do-draw-inspiration-from-their-own-lives-which-quite-frankly/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [When you are submitted and committed to the Lord, you will look forward to Jesus coming back, and not even an earthquake or Hurricane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/when-you-are-submitted-and-committed-to-the-lord-you-will-look/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Passion is best spent on God; so get committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/passion-is-best-spent-on-god-so-get-committed/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [God is looking for clean hands and a pure heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/god-is-looking-for-clean-hands-and-a-pure-heart/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [It's not about me - four simple words that described the life of Christ. Do you call yourself a Christian? Well then, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/it-s-not-about-me-four-simple-words-that-described-the-life-of-christ/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Do you ever think about the fact that Jesus never said a mumbling word? You may have heard that phrase before, but how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/do-you-ever-think-about-the-fact-that-jesus-never-said-a-mumbling/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [It's easy to praise God in the good times, but what about when the storms of your flesh are a-brewin'? Not so easy then!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/it-s-easy-to-praise-god-in-the-good-times-but-what-about-when-the/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Singles have goals, responsibilities, deadlines, events, and friends that occupy their time, as well they should. Nonetheless, before any goals are achieved, responsibilities are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/singles-have-goals-responsibilities-deadlines-events-and-friends-that/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [Christmas is a Christian holiday, and any self-respecting person of another religion should not celebrate a holiday that they don't believe in. Clearly, Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/christmas-is-a-christian-holiday-and-any-self-respecting-person-of/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

[Explore all 146 Monica Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

## More About quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/)

[Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/)

> [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

[Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by speaking the word of God. For all the times you would have done the activity that you gave up for Lent, replace it by reading the word of God. Christians should always be drawing closer to God.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Monica Johnson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-complain-about-what-you-gave-up/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "About"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-complain-about-what-you-gave-up/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fe/monica-johnson-2905_about_when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-comp_1114942.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by…” — Monica Johnson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Monica Johnson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When you get a hankering to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-complain-about-what-you-gave-up/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/when-you-get-a-hankering-to-talk-or-complain-about-what-you-gave-up/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
