Starting this week, our church is challenging us to 21 days of prayer and fasting. I’m wondering what to fast from. Who in the world wants to say goodbye to a daily Dr. Pepper, chips and salsa, or a good cookie?
Fasting is voluntarily reducing or eliminating your intake of food, drink, or another action for a specific time and purpose. Many people fast from social media as a means to find focus and prioritize their time. Others fast from that favorite sweet or daily coffee, that if taken out of our life, would be painfully hard.
It’s during a time of prayer and fasting that God can teach us so much as we practice self-control and patience. We let go of our “loves” and instead cling to God as our main “love.”. It’s in those moments, we draw closer to God and become less attached to the item we’re fasting from.
As we start 2022, it might be a great time to fast from anything that hinders us from being the best possible version of ourselves. Consider these crummy attitudes that are worthy of a fast:
Grumbling- Complaining about something or someone in a bad-tempered way
Holding a grudge- a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult/injury
Gossip- Unconstrained conversation or reports about other people involving details that are not confirmed as true.
Critical Spirit- A critical spirit is difficult to spot in ourselves but easy for others to spot in us. Tears down those around us and rob us of our own ability to enjoy life. Overly critical and judgmental.
If you could pick one of these attitudes to fast from, which one would it be? How could fasting from this action, help you be a better version of yourself?
God wants to change us from the inside out. For me, I have seen how fasting and prayer can strengthen my relationship with the Lord as I become more desperate for Him. Fasting reveals my sin as well. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight! I realize how hard it is to let go of that food or attitude that took precedence in my life. It’s in those private moments with God that I plead with Him to change me and transform me.
I’ve picked the crummy attitude that I’m going to fast from. What about you? Let's start 2022 with a better version of ourselves with God's help!
May God give us more and more of Himself as we fast from these lesser things. May God show us what masters us and slows us down. May God help us make necessary changes in our lives. May God give us the courage to say no to things that distract us mentally, spiritually and physically. May we thank Him for what He teaches us in the process. Amen.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
As we start 2022, it might be a great time to fast from anything that hinders us from being the best possible version of ourselves. Consider these crummy attitudes that are worthy of a fast:
Grumbling- Complaining about something or someone in a bad-tempered way
Holding a grudge- a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult/injury
Gossip- Unconstrained conversation or reports about other people involving details that are not confirmed as true.
Critical Spirit- A critical spirit is difficult to spot in ourselves but easy for others to spot in us. Tears down those around us and rob us of our own ability to enjoy life. Overly critical and judgmental.
If you could pick one of these attitudes to fast from, which one would it be? How could fasting from this action, help you be a better version of yourself?
God wants to change us from the inside out. For me, I have seen how fasting and prayer can strengthen my relationship with the Lord as I become more desperate for Him. Fasting reveals my sin as well. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight! I realize how hard it is to let go of that food or attitude that took precedence in my life. It’s in those private moments with God that I plead with Him to change me and transform me.
I’ve picked the crummy attitude that I’m going to fast from. What about you? Let's start 2022 with a better version of ourselves with God's help!
May God give us more and more of Himself as we fast from these lesser things. May God show us what masters us and slows us down. May God help us make necessary changes in our lives. May God give us the courage to say no to things that distract us mentally, spiritually and physically. May we thank Him for what He teaches us in the process. Amen.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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