Why are you fasting though???

Hey lovely humans

I can’t believe today is the last day of January 2020, time flies by SOOOO fast. But I’ll jump straight to the point, today I’ll be talking about FASTING. It’s something which the Holy Spirit has been convicting me about with regards to the importance of ones heart being right with the Lord.

So I know that it’s common for Individuals and churches to fast during the first month of the new year but I believe it is VERY important when fasting to be led by the Holy Spirit, one should not be ‘forced to fast’. Another matter which I’d like to highlight which slightly annoys me is that we shouldn’t be fasting to lose weight! Fasting should NOT be used as a diet plan to shed a couple of pounds, but be used as a way in which we draw closer to our Heavenly Father! Sorry to disappoint but not every person loses weight whilst fasting, and if that’s your sole purpose for fasting in the first place you may be terribly saddened when you don’t see any results of weight reduction. But if you do I guess it’d be a plus for many, but shouldn’t be the SOLE purpose for abstaining from food for a period of time. Fasting and praying should be a way of life for us believers, fasting shouldn’t be done as a last resort during dire times, but should be incorporated into our lives on a regular basis.

Luke 2:37~ And then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

Luke 18:12~ ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’

^^^ Although this Pharisee fasted twice a week His heart was not in the right place. I shall go onto discuss the matter of the heart later on in this post 😀.

Now I desire to make it VERY clear that people should fast if they are medically fit to do so. And if you suffer from certain health challenges you should seek medical advice from your Doctor on if it wise for you to fast or potentially do a partial fast.

I believe it is extremely vital for an individual to be aware of their physical health. Fasting whilst sick and on antibiotics is not so clever. God pulled me up about this actually. He brought me to question myself to see if I was fasting to honour Him, or to prove to myself how strong willed I am by being able to forgo water and food whilst being ill. God also reminded me that He is a COMPASSIONATE GOD, please let that sink in for a moment….. He doesn’t sit there in heaven shaking His head in disappointment because you’ve missed a day of fasting. Be wise in your decision making and remember that God knows that even though we are spiritual beings, we have bodies which need looking after. Bodies which experience wear and tear and which grow old. Another piece of advice I’d like to share goes out to all my fellow young ladies! If you do choose to fast whilst menstruating drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. But if you feel led to do a dry fast so be it, but USE WISDOM.

With regards to how often one should fast, I believe it is wise to seek the Holy Spirit for counsel. Some individuals may choose to fast once or twice a week, whilst others may choose once a month. Others may select to do a solid month straight in a year. The type of fasting I’m talking of here involves having a meal in the evening. Some people choose to forgo liquids too but as mentioned earlier ask the Holy Spirt on how He desires for YOU to worship God. Instead of trying to copy someone else.

Fasting is a great way in which we can connect with God. During my periods of fasting I find that I have an increased ability to hear from God because my mind is not so consumed with thoughts of what I’m going to eat/cook during the day! I gain the strength and time to do church work, write my blog posts and spend more time in prayer. Fasting provides me with the wonderful opportunity to study the word in more depth, plus I gain the chance to read books which edify my spirit. It’s a time of bliss, a time where I really get to enjoy God and write poems to Him. Don’t miss out on such a great opportunity to connect with God if you’re medically fit to do so 😀!

The bottom line is that when fasting our hearts should be in the right place, we ought to fast for the right reasons. During such times we must treat others with kindness and show mercy to all those who cross our paths. Our hearts should not be filled with bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness! A pure heart is what truly honours and pleases God, so when fasting aspire to have a heart which pleases the Lord!

Matthew 6:16 ~ When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Isaiah 58:6-7 ~ 6 No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

God bless people

Love from the

Christian Lady After Gods Own Heart