Sitting at work on Friday, I was talking to a co-worker about possibly fasting from bread for Lent. You see, I found a very strong, very satisfying (physically) love affair with bread. Especially buttered toast...don't ask me why because I still don't understand it.
Just when I thought my heart was settled. I felt the nudge. The nudge to do more. The nudge to plunge into more than just what is convenient to give up.
Naturally, my mind, heart and soul went to dedicating these 40 days to the Paleo way of eating. Once again, this was familiar to me. This was something I am comfortable doing. After all, up until my journey to motherhood started, that was the lifestyle I had.
So then I felt the whisper. Daniel Fast. I dug my feet in. Then I feel my heart strings pull. Daniel Fast. I attempt to ignore it. Then the proverbial 2X4. The reminder of a journey last year. Taken with a stranger who has turned into one of the dearest friends I have.
A journey to eliminate the comfort foods. Such breakthroughs were revealed. Trust in Him built more with each passing day.
So this year friends. I am choosing to heed the call. The typical Daniel Fast is 21 days, but I am feeling called to do it the whole 40 days. With one minor difference to the traditional Daniel Fast. I will be including milk for an extra source of protein.
The goals for this fast?
- To re-learn how to turn to Him to meet my needs before going to food
- To trust that He will reveal Himself to me as I am faithful to follow His call
- To get a handle on my eating habits; to become a healthier eater
- To gain control over my habit of eating to satisfy every need
- To break the hold that food has over me; dethroning this idol
Why do I share this? After all Jesus did say,
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret ; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)
I share this to ask you to pray with me. For my heart. For my determination. For my growth. That I might be able to resist the temptations that are sure to rise. That I will seek satisfaction in my Father rather than in food. That I will open myself up and allow my heart to be broken, reconstructed and redirected by the only One who can show me the way to go.
I thank you for partnering with me in this way.
What about you? Any way I can support you on your Lenten journey this year?
Linking up with
Today is just the beginning my friend. Victory is ours for we were made more than conquerors. So much more..... I'm with you for every step of this and oh how I look forward to the testimonies this journey brings.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am stopping by from the MustLoveGod Thursday link up. Your words speak right to my heart. I chose to participate in the Whole30 on Feb 1st because the Lord really laid on my heart how I had made food an idol. I will say a prayer for you as you do this wonderful thing, take those first steps to dethrone that idol and draw nearer to the Lord. I hope you'll continue to link up on Thursdays! I found this post encouraging on a day that I was struggling myself!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you. Glad you followed the nudge you were given.
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