Fasting with focus.

Fasting with focus.

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      I gained 7 pounds during the Christmas holiday time. From eating the cookies I baked and all the delicious party food that comes with this wonderful celebration of our Savior Jesus Christ.

       However, I wasn’t too upset because every January my family and I usually do some type of fasting. We fast for better focus on God and his plans for us and also to purify and cleanse our bodies and lives of unwanted impurities. There are many things that we digest and do, physically and mentally, that are wreaking us inside and out. Some of these things become habits that are harmful to us, physical and spiritual. A good reset by fasting a couple of months or so, can help us to focus back on God and the plans and purposes he has for us.
      This year we did something different for the food fast – we did a Paleo style fast. We usually do a Daniels fast, but after seeing a post for the book: The 30 – day Thyroid Reset Plan: Disarming the 7 Hidden Triggers That are Keeping You Sick by Dr. Becky Campbell it peaked my interest. I checked the book out from my local library, read it in one day and was eager to reset my body (and mind). Side note: this is not a Christian book, when she talks about meditation and other “mindful” things, replace it with God’s truth found in the scriptures and prayer.
      And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
     This book is very informative, and I recommend it, even if you don’t have thyroid problems. I lost 13 pounds and feel wonderful. My craving for junk is gone, replaced with a stronger craving that only God can fill.

    When we fast, we want to be focused on God first. Fasting without focus is just a diet (author unknown of that quote). In addition to fasting from certain foods, its good to fast from certain activities that takes your focus away from God. One of the things I fasted from was social media. Social media is one of the biggest things that have taken my time, that I will never get back, from God and other priorities.
      In addition to fasting is to pray. Powerful praying from the scriptures. Focused scripture prayers have helped me immensely. They help us to worship and praise our holy God. They remind us of our blessings and blesses us as well. They help us to grow deeper with the Holy Spirit and gives us clarity of thought. I was gifted and blessed with the book, Praying With Confidence. 31 Days of Powerful Moments with God by Jeff Leake, during my fast. This book has transformed my prayer life for the better! I have seen miracles and blessings while praying these prayers. (I recommend purchasing this book to use all the time!)
      Fasting is a form of worship to God. It’s not for the whole world to know that we are fasting. It’s a humbling experience. We aren’t the focus of a fast, God is the focus.
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 NLT
     There is so much gained from fasting, I’m just covering the tip of the ice berg. Every one’s fasting experience is different. There is no right or wrong thing to fast from, it’s what the thing or food, or both that is taking your focus from God.
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