As of Saturday, May 18, 2013, I have finished my 40 day fast. Some of you may know that I fasted from red meats (mainly beef) and sweets (sugary/junk food products). I chose to give up these items because it meant I would have to sacrifice things that I needed for health reasons and things that I lusted after.
I have iron-deficeincy anemia. This simply means that I have to supplement iron because my body does not produce enough on its own. While I take oral supplements, I get a lot of iron from red meats. I knew that it would be difficult (physically) for me to get through these 40 days. Giving up sweets was a challenge in itself, but it was not as difficult to resist as red meat. I sometimes feared that my health would decline because I was not getting enough iron. I had dizziness, faint like symptoms, trouble functioning and staying alert, etc. I also knew that if I gave into temptation that my purpose for the fast would be defeated.
Towards the end of my journey, I learned a few things. First of all, if I am going to depend on God, I have to let go of somethings. I had to change my attitude and cling to His word. I had to stop using my health status as an excuse and trust God. By giving up a food that I felt was essential to my diet, I learned to depend on God more and rely on His medical expertise to keep me going everyday. Fasting kept God and my purpose in the forefront of my mind.
Secondly, it helped me to gain clarity in situations. While all of my reasons for fasting were not met in those 40 days, a big one was met. The unity and love that I prayed for has manifested in the body of Christ. We still have a long way to go, but thanks be to God that we are getting there. I also prayed that God would send strong men and families to my church that would honor and reverence God and that they would come with a hunger and thirst for God's word. Did they come? Yes. Whether or not they continue to come, is between them and God.
Third, we were called to do the Great Commission. My fast may be over, but my mission is not. We are to go out and make more disciples. I use this blog as an avenue to encourage people and share the Word of God. My only advice for you today is to listen to God. Listen for His voice. If He is telling you to do something, do it. Doubt and faith do not mix. My heart yearned for something and God showed it to me through my fast. My pastor always says obedience is better than sacrifice. I had to be obedient to the Spirit and sacrifice something in order to gain a greater victory.
Who knows when I will fast again or what will be sacrificed next. But until that time, I'm listening out for God.
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