This is really great! I eat way too much sugar and junk. It is SO hard to stop. I’ve been super reluctant to even acknowledge it as a problem because I’m thin and I don’t know how to just eat healthily. I’ve never done it.
How long of a fast to you recommend? How do you do this with a family?
Katie, thanks for coming by. These are things I have also struggled with at times. Especially as the one in the kitchen making meals for everyone else. Consider making their meals ahead of time and letting them serve themselves, if this is an issue.
Also, since I had heard of fasting but had not yet implemented it in to my life, I got stuck on the definition too. I have low blood sugar and the two times I tried, after a few hours I heard the Lord say, "Eat, child." This made me more confident to both go forward and also to adapt as He told me to. I have some friends who just do liquids and broths. There are many things "out there" that I would hesitate to do for me personally, medically.
But He guides me. Here is an example: Up early this morning feeling pretty tormented and badly needed His presence so I was listening to Psalms and praying. Of course, a half hour into it, my body said, "you need to eat" and instead I crawled under the covers and kept praying.
During this time, He not only held up my blood sugar (although as soon as I stopped and came downstairs I had to grab something), He completely surrounded me. My hands grew hot like they had when I went to the Healing/Prayer room. My bed turned into an electric blanket pretty much. Then He again held my hand like He did in the ambulance when my heart flatlined two years ago! I didn't want to move and that is a key sign for me that He has met me-I want to stay there forever because it is the closest I can get to Heaven for now.
I guess the purpose of this ramble is to let you know that I've learned He will meet us wherever we go with fasting. Just listen to Him. Even the times He told me to eat a few hours later, I heavily felt His presence during those hours before and chains were broken in the prayer time I had completed.
I would LOVE to feel Jesus holding my hand! Thanks for this! I may try to cut out sugar because that’s the hardest part for me. I think God has been gently convicting me of this for a while but I was kind of like, “But why? It is so good! Can I have some? How much? Why does cabbage taste the way it does? Were you angry when you created eggplant?” It’s a tough situation!
ROFL re eggplant. You silly girl. That's hilarious. It certainly is tough but I would say if you have felt convicted, there is a reason and yes, that is what you start with. He often only leads one step at a time! You've got this! I will pray that you won't have sugar withdrawal headaches. <3
Katie those are great questions. First, it’s always good to follow the Lord about fasting. He’ll show you how and for how long that are specific for you.
Additionally, I’ll give you a few things to think about…
One, there are different types of fasts. We know about Jesus fasted for 40 days without food. But there’s other types. Like Daniel in Daniel 1. He ate vegetables and beans as a form of dedicating himself to the Lord. You could Google Daniel Fast and find out lots of info about it. Another could be cutting out sugar. Like eating a keto or low carb. So, fasting can be “no food.” But it may also be “no” to certain types of foods. Or too much food. S
Two, there are different lengths and schedules. There are long fasts like Jesus and Moses did. There are short fasts like an intermittent fast. I usually recommend if someone hasn’t fasted to start with something like an intermittent fast or a 1 day fast. Something you can do and have success at. Then build from there.
Three, perspective. Fasting isn’t about the food. It’s about intimacy with God. Often we focus on the food but He’s excited we are dedicating ourselves to connect more with Him. Also, fasting isn’t like a one-time, “I’m going to get it all done” thing. Fasting compounds over time. I don’t really know how to describe it. But it’s not about one big huge fast. It’s more of learning to live in a place of deeper intimacy with Him. I hope that makes sense.
Four, family. This can sometimes be a challenge. But it just takes a little communication. My family has learned that it’s just something I do. That doesn’t stop them from eating or enjoying whatever.
So, follow the Lord with what is important for you and your body.
This is really great! I eat way too much sugar and junk. It is SO hard to stop. I’ve been super reluctant to even acknowledge it as a problem because I’m thin and I don’t know how to just eat healthily. I’ve never done it.
How long of a fast to you recommend? How do you do this with a family?
Katie, thanks for coming by. These are things I have also struggled with at times. Especially as the one in the kitchen making meals for everyone else. Consider making their meals ahead of time and letting them serve themselves, if this is an issue.
Also, since I had heard of fasting but had not yet implemented it in to my life, I got stuck on the definition too. I have low blood sugar and the two times I tried, after a few hours I heard the Lord say, "Eat, child." This made me more confident to both go forward and also to adapt as He told me to. I have some friends who just do liquids and broths. There are many things "out there" that I would hesitate to do for me personally, medically.
But He guides me. Here is an example: Up early this morning feeling pretty tormented and badly needed His presence so I was listening to Psalms and praying. Of course, a half hour into it, my body said, "you need to eat" and instead I crawled under the covers and kept praying.
During this time, He not only held up my blood sugar (although as soon as I stopped and came downstairs I had to grab something), He completely surrounded me. My hands grew hot like they had when I went to the Healing/Prayer room. My bed turned into an electric blanket pretty much. Then He again held my hand like He did in the ambulance when my heart flatlined two years ago! I didn't want to move and that is a key sign for me that He has met me-I want to stay there forever because it is the closest I can get to Heaven for now.
I guess the purpose of this ramble is to let you know that I've learned He will meet us wherever we go with fasting. Just listen to Him. Even the times He told me to eat a few hours later, I heavily felt His presence during those hours before and chains were broken in the prayer time I had completed.
I would LOVE to feel Jesus holding my hand! Thanks for this! I may try to cut out sugar because that’s the hardest part for me. I think God has been gently convicting me of this for a while but I was kind of like, “But why? It is so good! Can I have some? How much? Why does cabbage taste the way it does? Were you angry when you created eggplant?” It’s a tough situation!
ROFL re eggplant. You silly girl. That's hilarious. It certainly is tough but I would say if you have felt convicted, there is a reason and yes, that is what you start with. He often only leads one step at a time! You've got this! I will pray that you won't have sugar withdrawal headaches. <3
Katie those are great questions. First, it’s always good to follow the Lord about fasting. He’ll show you how and for how long that are specific for you.
Additionally, I’ll give you a few things to think about…
One, there are different types of fasts. We know about Jesus fasted for 40 days without food. But there’s other types. Like Daniel in Daniel 1. He ate vegetables and beans as a form of dedicating himself to the Lord. You could Google Daniel Fast and find out lots of info about it. Another could be cutting out sugar. Like eating a keto or low carb. So, fasting can be “no food.” But it may also be “no” to certain types of foods. Or too much food. S
Two, there are different lengths and schedules. There are long fasts like Jesus and Moses did. There are short fasts like an intermittent fast. I usually recommend if someone hasn’t fasted to start with something like an intermittent fast or a 1 day fast. Something you can do and have success at. Then build from there.
Three, perspective. Fasting isn’t about the food. It’s about intimacy with God. Often we focus on the food but He’s excited we are dedicating ourselves to connect more with Him. Also, fasting isn’t like a one-time, “I’m going to get it all done” thing. Fasting compounds over time. I don’t really know how to describe it. But it’s not about one big huge fast. It’s more of learning to live in a place of deeper intimacy with Him. I hope that makes sense.
Four, family. This can sometimes be a challenge. But it just takes a little communication. My family has learned that it’s just something I do. That doesn’t stop them from eating or enjoying whatever.
So, follow the Lord with what is important for you and your body.