This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.
Scripture reference: Ezra 8:23 (NIV)
Today is the first day of Lent, and synonymous with the Lenten season for me is, of course, fasting. Because of this, I have been thinking a lot about the power of fasting.
Quite honestly, it was not until recently that fasting became a practice for me. It had always been something that I watched others do, rather than seriously participating myself.
There were occasions when I fasted with a group of ladies during the Lenten season, but if I am to be totally honest, my actions were more about furthering my intimacy with the group, rather than my relationship with God.
However, I have learned quite a bit about fasting recently–in particular, I have discovered three key takeaways.
The first takeaway is that fasting helps me surrender my situation. When I fast, I find myself turning matters over to God rather than attempting to control them myself. This helps both my spiritual and mental states.
Second, fasting guides my actions. There are many times when I am not fasting that I know I need to take an action, but I am unclear as to the specifics. Fasting gives me a greater clarity about the actions I need to take. It also gives me the confidence to follow through with those actions. In short, fasting calms and fortifies me.
Finally, I have learned that I do not need to simply limit my forbearance to food and drink. Fasting from TV, radio, and whatever else is necessary to be in deeper communion with God, cleanses my soul.
The words that I use to inspire me through the challenges of fasting are, “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23 (NIV)
Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.
So today, reset your spiritual button, and embrace the power of fasting.
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