Daniel 10: 2 & 3
Spiritually, fasting is a time when we choose to physically deny ourselves and to seek God. The Daniel Fast, a partial fast, was written by Susan Gregory and is based on Daniel's three weeks of fasting. Ben has done this fast before, but this will be my first time. I have done a 5 day juice fast before, as well as a 10 day Master Cleanse fast, but never the Daniel Fast. Ben and I choose to do this fast as a means of helping us toward our goal of a healthier lifestyle. Ron Lagerquist, author of Fasting to Freedom, has this to say about fasting:
"Fasting accomplishes two purposes. First, it will reveal how much the flesh has taken control of emotions, and secondly, it will serve in breaking the flesh's hold upon the will" (http://www.freedomyou.com/fasting_book/Fasting_And_Addiction.htm).
I'm pretty sure no one likes to consider the possibility that they are addicted to all the bad stuff in the food we eat. We really don't like to consider the possibility that we are emotionally attached to the food we eat. However, I know a lot of people are very familiar with these experiences.
So, first step in living a healthier life = have a healthier relationship with the food choices we make. The great thing about the Daniel Fast is that you are not eliminating food entirely, so I think it is probably easier for people who have never fasted.
Basically, when doing the Daniel Fast, you follow these basic guidelines:
1. Only fruits and vegetables.
2. Only water for a beverage.
3. No sweeteners and no bread containing yeast, baking powder, etc.
4. No artificial or processed foods.
We are on day three right now. It feels good to know you DO still have control over the food choices you make. Susan Gregory offers a blog, http://danielfast.wordpress.com/, and a website, http://www.daniel-fast.com/, where you can find a lot of helpful information. I actually bought the book for Ben this past Christmas, and I have the book on my Kindle. Ben didn't have the book the last time he did the fast, but it really is helpful to have the book. Not only because Ms. Gregory offers many good recipes to choose from, but also because it has a devotional for each day of the fast.
I think that fasting should be an important part of our spiritual life. Jesus indicated that he believed it to not only be important, but He indicated an assumption that we would practice fasting on a regular basis.
"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." Matthew 6:16
I have never fasted regularly, as I should, but Ben and I have both fasted before. I can tell you, from my experience, it is not a miserable time at all. It is actually a very freeing experience. We all know that we have to eat to live. I think this fact discourages many people when they consider trying to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle. Sometimes we are so entrenched in our bad habits that it feels as though we will never have victory. That really does not have to be the case - and we do not have to suffer tremendously to get to where we want to be either.
The first fast I ever did was a juice fast after reading Fasting to Freedom. Lagerquist offers a wonderful literary depiction of the testing of Jesus after His forty day fast. You can read the exert here: http://www.freedomyou.com/fasting_book/Jesus_Fasting.htm. Lagerquist concludes with this:
"Fasting is the pilgrimage to the dessert of your soul. There, you will greet your greatest foe, and in weakness discover the strength of Jesus."
This makes me smile and reminds me of a beautiful hymn:
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and brought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
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