by Coach Debbie 

Several weeks ago, my life became extremely overwhelming.  Challenge upon challenge piled onto me.   I was at a loss.  In my humanity, I was frustrated, sad, unsure, fearful, too busy, and  I didn’t know what to do.  I am a Bible-reading girl who likes to talk to Jesus daily, yet I craved more.  I wanted quick-fixes knowing that was impossible.  I wanted a magic wand to erase problems but that’s crazy.  What did I do?  What would YOU do?

Here’s what I could “check off”:

__ read Bible

__ pray

__ praise

__ worship

__ go to church

__ eat chocolate

 Those are vital things.  They are our daily non-negotiables in our faith.  Here’s what happened next….

1. I prayed.  “God, help!  What do I do?”
2. I waited and listened.  He spoke to my heart, “Fast.”
3. I fasted.
4. All my problems vanished.  JUST KIDDING.

What’s fasting?  Think about the word “breakfast,” which means “break the fast.”  Fasting is going without food for religious reasons and despite the close spelling it is quite the opposite of FEASTING.

Back in the day, Jesus did it.  If my goal is to be like Him, I want to do what He did.  The point is to abstain from eating so that those hunger cues that God invented become a reminder of our need for Him hourly.  It’s a signal to rely on Him and seek Him.

I decided to fast from food.  Many fast from potential idols in their lives (coffee, TV, facebook, chocolate, makeup, etc).  I set aside a day where I would not eat breakfast or dinner and would eat a late dinner.  I allowed myself 2 cups of unsweetened coffee and unlimited water. 

I copied how my late husband fasted (he did it monthly).  I replaced each meal with a purposeful activity.  And I did not announce that I was doing this; this was between my Father and me.  I did share with my kids, simply to let them know it was a godly thing to do, just like their daddy did before he entered heaven.  I wanted them to know part of my reason was because of my deep love for them; I did ask for them to pray for me if they thought of it and told them I would be in constant intercession for them throughout the day.  Side note, those kids have compassion I never knew; they would ask if I was hungry and if their food smelled good and if I was okay. 

During breakfast time, I fed my soul by reading God’s word.  I chose to read about fasting and also reminded myself of God’s various names that relate to food (He is our daily bread, our milk and honey, living water, etc).  This, was the easy part; no big deal to miss breakfast.

During lunch time, I filled my soul by praying.  I praised God for everything I could think of, even the challenges I was facing.  I cried out to Him, letting Him know I was insufficient and weak and needed His help. 

During dinner time, I thrived on being still and listening.  I continually cleared the clutter that attempted to invade (“Debbie, aren’t you starving?” “Debbie, don’t forget to make that appointment,” “Debbie, the laundry is on the table.”).  I wanted to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.  I affirmed that I believed, that I had real faith in Him.  “God, speak, your servant is listening.”  Despite suffering with a headache, weakness, light-headedness and hunger pains, I knew this was worth it.  The ‘sacrifice of praise.’    

What did He say, What did He say?????  Nothing.  No burning bush, no booming voice from the clouds, not writing on the wall. 

• Was it everything it should have been?  Yes.
• Was my faith increased? Yes.
• Did my perspective on my mountain of woes shift?  Yes.
• Did my passion for my Savior rise?  Yes.

 Before I fasted, I texted my dad (a regular in fasting) about any words of wisdom.  He said to make sure I was not part of the problem; to get myself out of the way.  After I fasted, I texted my dad (as he’d asked when I was going to do it).  He said to savor how God would begin working because of it.  How encouraging!

 God is so mysterious.  I love that about Him.  He is in no hurry.  He has a master plan.

I ate a salad late that night.  And my heart was at peace.  I will do it again.  And I know that God is active.  My list of bombarding problems that were suffocating me, well, God is showing up in big ways.  He is in the details of them and working them out for our good and His glory!  And I feel more equipped as I’ve linked arms with Him.

I want you to fast. 

You will be changed.  It’s not easy, but Christianity rarely is. 

Dive into the valley.  He is with you and for you!

 Now check out some Biblical background on fasting!

COMMON THREADS:

• FASTING IS A WAY TO PETITION / INQUIRE / CRY OUT TO GOD.  THERE IS A SERIOUS SITUATION, A DESPERATION, A NEED.
• GROUPS COMMONLY FASTED TOGETHER.  “THEY WERE ILL,” “THE HYPOCRITES,”  “THEY WERE WORSHIPING,” “ALL OF JUDAH,” “WE FASTED.”
• IT IS TO BE DONE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.  HUMBLY, NOT “SHOWY,” WORSHIPFUL, AND HOLY.
• GOD IS ACTIVE.  HE REWARDS, HE SPEAKS, HE ANSWERS, HE MOVES.
• Psalm 35:13  “Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting…”
• Matthew 6:16  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, willreward you.”
• Acts 13:2-3  “While they were worshiping the LORD and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
• 2 Chronicles 20:3  “Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for allof Judah.”
• Ezra 8:23  “So we fasted and petitionedour God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
• Joel 1:14  “Declare a holy fast…and cry outto the LORD.”
  
  

Resolve to petition Him.  He wants to fill you.