So, when I get to the real nitty gritty of the who, what, when, where, and why of my being overweight I can easily get brought down. I’ve tried and tried to get motivated enough to lose weight, and nothing has worked. I mean ab-so-lute-ly nothing. I’ve never been really committed to diets (because I know how they have tricked failed most of those around me.)
This year, I decided to take a different approach to my weight issue. There’s a familiar verse that my mind likes to skip right over when I read it because it digs right to the core of this battle.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own ? For you have been bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
So while I’ve known this Truth for a long time, heard it preached about several times, and have read it just as many times, I haven’t ever given it the time of day.
A week and a half into this year, a friend of mine posted on Twitter about doing a 21-day fast from bread and grain. Immediately my spirit united with hers. I felt it impressed upon me to join her on this journey. I’ve learned this much–when the spirit impresses something upon me…I’d better not hesitate.
It was exactly what I needed to shift my focus.
Before, my focus had always been on losing the weight for this reason, or that event. This fast, however, shifted my focus to the verse above. It shifted my heart to longing to lose the excess weight in order to become a better steward of the temple that has been entrusted to me. The best way to do this? Living a life in Him fueled by fasting. Relying upon Him to fill me instead of food.
After all, who better to be accountable to than the One who knows, sees, feels, and understands your struggles. Not only does He do all those things, but He still loves you, and He wants you to share those things with Him.
Fasting. It can be such a sticky subject. Why is that? I mean, if you read through the Bible, there are so many places that mention fasting. Oh, and they don’t say if you fast…most of them say when you fast. Some examples being:
“When you fast, do not look somber…” [Matthew 6:16]
“But when you fast, put oil on your head…” [Matthew 6:17]
“…The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” [Matthew 9:15] P.S. That time He’s referencing in this verse…is now.
So, not only is fasting expected of us, but take a look at these examples of the power of fasting:
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ’Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” [Acts 13:2]
“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” [Acts 14:23]
However…the biggest reason I can find to fast is to become like the One I proclaim to be following. He set the example and fasted–especially through trials. If He did, what says I shouldn’t? Sure, He was perfect, but He still went through all the same temptations we struggle with. He could have chosen to give in and break the fast, but His eyes were on the Prize. He made fasting a priority in order to show us that it should be essential to us, too.
I want to encourage you to take the time to sit down with God and work through this concept. Take a few moments and think over these questions.
Don’t just take my thoughts and run with them. I challenge you to do an in-depth study into what God has to say about fasting. Then I encourage you to seek Him.
Fasting doesn’t always have to be from food, but I do think it should at least occasionally be from food.
I ask that you set aside what the “medical professionals” have to say and listen to the Great Physician.
Father, humbly I come before you, unworthy of this privilege. I pray that You would set it in our hearts to seek You, Your truth and Your path of life above all else. Help us to trust You over mere man. Papa, with all the technology we have in today’s society, it is so easy to lose site of all that really matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the fads that surround us. I pray You’d give us eyes to see Your will for us, ears to hear Your voice, and hearts willing to follow Your call. In Christ’s precious name, Amen
About Amy McCollister
Oh my word… This is an INCREDIBLE post. Seriously. So good… Wow.
I WILL be praying about this thing, because the topic has come up simply TOO MANY times for me to keep ignoring it!!
Meredith recently posted..Count Me Reminiscent {A Healthier Time}
If you ever need to talk through or want someone to help you keep accountable, don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll be there. Love you friend!
Amy McCollister recently posted..Comment on FMF: Fruit by Christina
Like Mere this has been looming in my head for a while. Thank you for stopping me in my tracks and challenging me to think!!!
I’ll be linking my post up this afternoon!!
Kristi recently posted..Spreading the News…a OneVerse update
Kristi! I’m so blessed by this. I knew there was a reason He made it clear that this was the subject to approach this week’s post about. Can’t wait to see your post!
Amy McCollister recently posted..FMF: Fruit
So are you currently fasting from anything?
Kristi recently posted..Step by step I’m gonna get there!!!
What an awesome post! I believe in the power of fasting and prayer. I, too, believe that fasting doesn’t and shouldn’t only mean abstinence from food. I incorporate different fasts for myself…anything from TV to social media. Great thoughts here, Amy!
ihavehope recently posted..Ten ways to say “I love you”
Abstinence from anything that distracts us from Him is liable to be fasted for a time (or maybe even permanently). It’s all about the shifting of our focus. Thanks for the kind words
Amy McCollister recently posted..FMF: Fruit
GREAT challenging post Amy! I have to admit I skip over that verse myself. I’ll definitely have to take some time this week to dig into this.
Michelle recently posted..Thinking and Doing
It’s so easy to do. To skip over the words written specifically for us because they’re too challenging. It’s a habit I want to break. This was just the first step.
Amy McCollister recently posted..FMF: Fruit
Wonderful words Amy! I like that you stated fasting isn’t only for food! what a great concept, and one that I often overlook! Thank you
Aurie recently posted..Do You Throw Stones?
It’s only been the past year and a half that I’ve started putting it in practice sporadically and only the past two months that it’s been a consistent thing.
Amy McCollister recently posted..FMF: Fruit
Girl! What a message! You are preaching it today!
What a challenge I am walking away with…still letting it all sink in….
Thank you!
Lindsey van Niekerk recently posted..He Loved Me {Guest Post :: Christina}
Thanks so much Lindsey! This subject has been on my heart for about a week now, and I really felt Him pressing on me to share it here rather than on my own blog. Always open to talking and encouraging others in this journey as well.
Amy McCollister recently posted..FMF: Fruit
First, the verse about the body being a temple is the one that convicted me into finally giving up smoking for good. It ate at my soul. Seriously.
Second, I honestly twitch when I hear the word “fasting”. I’m pretty sure it’s because as a child I thought it was something miserable that only Catholic kids did (yes, I know better now). Then it was something only really radical people did (yes, I know better on that now too). I think now I just fear that my forgetfulness would have me failing, and failing on a commitment I made to God would be horrible so I just don’t try.
Does that make sense?
The Tadey (Lisa B) recently posted..It’s not goodbye…more like “see you later”
Lisa,
I so totally get what you’re saying. The best thing for me was beginning to fast with someone doing it with me that would remind me what we were doing and why. Now, since she and I aren’t friends, I pray constantly during fasting. It’s something Satan doesn’t want us to do because it gives us a deeper connection with God and so I, too, was fearful at first. Now that I’m in a rhythm of doing them with just me and God (occasionally another friend) it’s becoming easier. You’ll be amazed at how just your willingness to and faithfulness to following the call will be rewarded.
Amy McCollister recently posted..Count Me Accountable {Hesitant Today}
Amy, what an amazing and powerful post. I am awed and inspired by your conviction and your faith. You know how I’ve been vacillating on this very subject as I’ve been studying it. Part of me is feeling afraid to let God down, and another part is concerned I will be so focused on Him that I will miss out on “other things” (yes, crazy in sooo many ways, I know!). But today you have been an encouragement. I am SO glad followed you over here! ~Lori
Lori recently posted..Armor Games: Armor and Weapon Combinations
Aw thanks Lori. I was gonna ask you how that search was coming. This post was laid on my heart big time after a conversation with a friend on this subject. I’ve had ppl accuse me of being too centered on Him. I take the words with a smile and later take the issue to people close to me to see what they say. Then there are times (like this post) where He makes it evident that I’m on the right path. So long as I keep Him in sight, I will see clearly all thee is around me to see.
Amy McCollister recently posted..Count Me Accountable {Hesitant Today}