How’s it going?

For all of my friends who are fasting with us these 21 days, it’s been 2 weeks now, so how is it going so far?  Here are a few of my thoughts during this time and some lessons I have learned and applied.

My biggest craving has been sweets! I thought I would be like a ravenous wolf and attack anyone I saw with a nice slab of meat by now.  Surprisingly the meat cravings haven’t been that bad.  I think a lot of credit can go to Amber (my wife) for preparing good and well-balanced meals.  There have been some tough times, but I am trucking through them fine.  The toughest seems to be the first three days, always does.

I am doing a Daniel Fast that is mainly fruits and vegetables.  Amber has made some very creative and good tasting meals.  As for Amber, she has been on a modified Daniel Fast.  She has to include small amounts of dairy and protein in her diet since she is still nursing.  She has to make sure her body doesn’t go through the normal detox like I went through or it could harm Nevin (our son).  If you or anyone you know is nursing and wants to fast, Amber would be a good contact to know how to do it safely.  I have to admit that I crave her meals at times.  She is careful not to do too much in front of me, but just the other day she cooked some salmon and my mouth was watering.  And I HATE salmon!

The overall experience, despite the occasional cravings, has been well worth it.  I recommend doing an occasional fast, even if it’s only once a year.  Through this fast Amber and I are taking time before we go to sleep to include reading a verse or two and prayer.  This fast has been a blessing and has helped us get on the same page again.  I have to admit having a baby changed a lot of things and this is one of our priorities that I let slip.  We are seeking guidance from God for our family, our church and ourselves individually.  I feel God has His favor on us and is leading us in the direction we need to be.  He has even shown us things we need to change in our lives.  What a GREAT way to start a New Year!

I hope that if you are fasting you are also seeking God through prayer and reading your bible.  Take this time to evaluate your self and seek vision from God.  Here is what Daniel (the guy we are modeling our fast after) had to say,

Daniel 10:2-3 (NLT)

2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks.

3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

God will give you vision when you seek Him.  He will be faithful in that, I promise you.  Remember that you are seeking a vision that comes from God and not your own.  Where there is vision, there is LIFE.  That vision may be as elaborate as Daniels or it may be as powerful as a gentle whisper.  God will definitely show you things in your life that need to change.  You may be afraid of that, but remember God loves you no matter what and He will NOT abandon you.  And above all, this is a time to work on your relationship with God and go deeper with Him.

If you are like me and have given up certain food, you will be hungry and you will be tempted.  No matter what you have given up, this will happen in some variation.  Instead of focusing on the hunger or temptation and wishing you could have what you gave up.  Take those times to focus on God, pray and read His Word.  Plan and prioritize out what you want to pray or even read.  This will help in those moments when you catch yourself thinking of how great it will be when the fast is over.  You can immediately go into prayer and focus on God, leaving your mind free to hear from Him.  It will even help give you drive and purpose.  You will know what to pray about with your spouse, children, even individually.  It may help to have a few Bible verses to focus on throughout your fast that you can memorize and use.  Use them when you are tempted and use them to kick-start your prayer.  I personally pray through Scripture.  I change the words into a personal prayer and it is always powerful.

I hope this helps and encourages you.  Keep on going and stay strong.  If you feel you messed up and broke your fast, just pick back up where you are and keep going.  God is with you and loves you.

Happy fasting!

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