How God Worked on Me While Fasting
God told me to fast; I treated Him like a door-to-door salesman. “I’m not interested.” He persisted; I yielded. Here’s how God worked on me while fasting.
God knocked on the door of my heart one day. I treated Him like a door-to-door salesman, “Yes, what is it?” He started talking to me about fasting. I tried to tell Him I wasn’t interested, but He was persistent.
I couldn’t believe what He responded! Do you want to know what it is? Brace yourself.
He wanted me to fast from my blog. Gasp! Air! Air! I need air! Gasp!
I didn’t exactly rush to the throne room to get a clear answer on how long; I threw a temper tantrum instead. In all honesty, I kept telling myself it might only be for a few days just to make myself feel better.
Not my blog, God!
I worried about my blog, you see.
What if someone is offended that I didn’t post anything for a whole week and unsubscribed in a fit of rage? Sob!
But deep down I knew He had His reasons, and He wouldn’t forsake this ministry. After I chose to obey Him, I looked forward to sitting at His feet. He gave me some theme verses from the 23rd Psalm for my fast.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3 ESV
How God Worked on Me While Fasting: Adjustments
Since He gave me the above theme verses, I pictured in my mind a peaceful and submissive herd of sheep just chillin’. So I thought the duration of the fast would be one of serenity. But, the time spent with the Lord during the fast from my blog (which ended up being for three weeks) looked nothing like what I envisioned.
The phrase “he restores my soul” stayed with me; He brought restoration. But the truth is, I forgot how the shepherd has to use his staff to lead the sheep into safety.
What I experienced during this fast were times of testing, corrections, and rebukes. After the first week, I was wondering where the “laying down in green pastures” and being “led beside still waters” went!
Let me tell you, I looked back at the adjustments God made in my heart during the three weeks, and My Shepherd needed to use His rod with me. He needed to hook His staff around my neck and say, “No, not that way! This way!”
But He restored my soul in three specific areas, and I learned that restoration could begin with God’s chastisement and the need to repent. Yes, a dose of humble medicine, my friends.
When God worked on me while fasting, He tested me in three areas:
A Test of Surrender
I began my Daily Time with Him by analyzing some apathy that had surfaced in my heart. I told God how disappointing it was that my expectations of our time together weren’t being fulfilled. See, I felt like I hadn’t received any new revelation from my Shepherd. Right after I took Him to task, He showed me that the fault was mine.
Wait? What?
Then He revealed how I had started loving my blog more than I loved Him. It took first place. The blog fed me. It fulfilled me—for a while. I’d always heard that sheep aren’t too smart. Um…I felt very sheep-like.
An Obedience Test
In addition to the blog fast, He had me draw back from social media somewhat.
Not my friends, too, God! No! No. No.
Sometimes I started to spend time on Twitter or Facebook anyway, but there came that staff hooking my neck again. Would I allow attention to feed me? I sensed Him leading me to “still waters.”
At one point He had me go on a total social media fast for three days inside the three-week blog fast. He was testing me with putting obedience into practice. Then I enjoyed being fed by Him.
An Attitude Test
God also tested me a few times to see how I was going to respond to various situations among people. Initially, I wanted to hide, cry, and throw a pity party, but I was expected to be present and couldn’t leave the room. It was during those moments that my memory clicked:
I’ve been here before; I know how to respond in a way that will please the Lord.
Newfound strength rose up in public from those times of yielding in private. I chose to have the right attitude. Such joy!
True Love Is Tough Love
Was it easy? Ha! No.
Was it fun? Um…no.
But I have made Him my Lord, not just my Savior.
His rod and His staff comforted me through His nearness. Even if it sounds strange, I welcome His chastening because it means I’m His daughter growing into maturity (Hebrews 12:5-11). True love says what is best for you, not just what you want to hear.
That means He is the One who is in authority over me, and He’s in charge of changing me. I’m grateful He worked on me. Fasting is definitely worth the spiritual growth!
So…anyone ready to go on a fast? 😉 If you do, I’d love to know how God works on you while fasting!
Get More Encouragement for Your Next Fast
- 7 Benefits of Biblical Fasting
- 5 Transformative Fasting and Prayer Verses
- Check out the Biblical Fasting Kit
I sometimes need a break to pray for direction. I took sometime this summer to think about my blog.
I am praying He gives me a clear path for the future. I am not fasting, but I do pray. I am glad you obeyed. It is important. I need direction from God, too. Please pray for me and my ministry. Am I fulfilling His call in my writing? thanks,
Oh, Mary, I will pray for you specifically for that. It’s a question I had, too, earlier this year. And He is answering. He will answer you, too. May His will be done. Blessings!
This message is so timely as I am reading about fasting (but my heart is SUPER resistant) and recognized my apathy immediately upon reading your words. Bless you on your journey
How I can relate to that! Yielding is a process as we grow in HIm. But remember, He doesn’t carry a club but a staff to lead you with. And gently. Thanks for your comment, Christa!
This is such a great post! Fasting is so powerful as it is always something that is hard to give up because it is taking precedence over your life. Back in January I felt called to fast from added sugar as it was becoming my go-to in all situations from rejoicing to comforting. I remain sugar-free as some items in our life are best left behind. Even as I write that line I realize my reluctance which only reinforces why it hasn’t been brought back into my life! God bless!
Ah, I completely understand that kind of relationship with God, Melissa. Some people may not comprehend that, but I’m reminded how Jesus perspired drops of blood in His struggle. There’s a verse in Hebrews 12 that says we haven’t yet had that kind of struggle in our resisting. Because there’s no comparison. Sometimes my idols are as “petty” as chocolate and going to it for comfort rather than doing the Word. Fasting reminds me how attached I am to this world. Many blessings!
Such an encouraging post. God works in our lives despite us…because He loves us.
Visiting from Crystal Storm’s today. Fasting has so many faces – doesn’t it? And only one of them involves food. xo GOOD POST.
Ouch! Kelly,woman of God ,this post rebuked my areas of apathy as well. I need God’s staff to hook onto my stubborn areas so He can tell me where to go and what to do.
Thank you for this message
Your neighbor from #HeartEncouragement
Diana
Kelly,
I love your surrender to Him. Thanks for sharing in honesty about the hook around your neck. I need that so often too, but it takes times of fasting to slow down enough that He can get a hold of us girls doesn’t it? 🙂 I’ve been taking more times of serious Sabbath and rest. It’s not easy, but I’m beginning to see the benefits. My brain works better on more sleep and less late-night work. I’m looking forward to your posts on Fasting. It’s a practise that has strengthened my faith time and again.
Love ya,
~Sherry
xoxo
Oh, Kelly. Wonderful post. Love your comment that you made Him your Lord, not just your Savior. Beautiful testimony, friend. xoxo