1. I'm never really that excited about fasting. I wouldn't say I'm sad either but...I don't really know how to explain my feeling. The feeling that you get when you know you're going to face something really challenging that you would rather not do if you had a choice. I used to feel so guilty about this like I'm not a good Christian and I really don't love God if I feel this way. I've learned that that's not true and it's okay! I mean, who is ever excited to not eat (or eat very limited), to be weak and hungry all the time? Jesus wasn't exactly jumping for joy moments before He had to go to the cross (definitely not the same kind of sacrifice but you get my drift here). Even though I would rather eat all I want to eat, it's a sacrifice that I choose to make. I'm happy I make it and it's okay that I'm not 100% thrilled all the time.
2. Having friends and/or family members that are in agreement with you during a fast really helps! I do mini half day or one day fasts by myself all the time, especially if it's something that the Spirit leads me to do. I honestly don't know what I would do if had to do an extended fast by myself. I would get through but it would be harder. It's nice know that there are people right there with you who are craving food, lol. It's also fun to exchange ideas and recipes for individual fasts and to have someone cheering you on and pouring into you as you do the same for them.
3. My body is not going to die. Mentally for every fast I have this quick second where I have a "woe is me moment", wondering how I'm going to get through this. When I fast for an extended period of time I do the Daniel Fast. It surprises me each time as to how my body can function just as well, if not better than when I am eating regularly. I don't get the "itis" when I eat, I have energy, I wake up rested and any blemishes on my skin clear up. I'm actually eating the things that I am supposed to eat on a larger scale and I imagine my body loves me for it.
4. Fasting forces me to get creative. I mentioned this a bit at the end of point 2, but there are only so many fruits and veggies on this earth that you can eat before you start to get get bored. I personally am a fruit lover and can eat fruit for days. Veggies on the hand? Naaah. The only thing that I might eat are cucumbers and carrots. If I'm having a salad I need to drown it in dressing which pretty much defeats the purpose. I had to get creative with how I ate my fruits and veggies: mix and match, raw veggies, steamed veggies, sea salt, cinnamon etc. A friend of mine shared an amazing site with me regarding meals that you can make while on the Daniel Fast and I find it to be amazing : http://www.ultimatedanielfast.
Quick note about Jamba juice. When I make my smoothies they honestly taste better than the ones that they make in store. I'm assuming because I use fresh fruits.
Below are samples of a couple things I whipped up to be creative
Clemetines, oranges, kale and cucumbers
Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato soup
5. I don't need to eat all that I eat. My personal struggle is with portion control. When eating I'll get a large plate, fill it and eat until I'm stuffed. Ooooh and let it be something that I really like; being stuffed won't matter cuz I'll keep on going. My body doesn't need that, it's unhealthy and creates all this extra work for my digestive system not to mention it's a sin. Yes, a sin. Gluttony. Eating less and my stomach being satisfied with less teaches me that I really don't need to eat all that I eat. I need to do better with self control. It's a fruit of the spirit.
6. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. My flesh sucks! LOL. I said this earlier but I do need to practice self control. When I feel my body being weak, even though I desire to refrain from food I think of all the times in life when there is something sinful that I don't want to do but end up doing it anyway because I feel like my flesh takes over. During this moments (of feeling weak) I practiced just giving it to God; reading my Word, praying, ushering in God's presence with some praise and worship while sipping some water. Eventually my weakness goes away and strength comes back into my body. Next time when I feel like sin is tempting me and my flesh is about to take over I'll simply give it all to God instead of trying to handle it on my own. It's through His strength that I overcome, not mine.
7. Don't dive head first into regular eating after the fast is over. Think about it. Your body has been purging for a while and is no longer accustomed to regular food. Diving in will upset your body and it'll push the food right back out one way or the other (no need to get into details, lol). Slowly reintroduce your body to regular food one day at a time. Eventually your body will get the point.
8. Makes me realize what I take for granted. Fasting is a choice that I make to deny my body food or regular food. Sometimes when my body is feeling weak from hunger, I remember those who fast on a day to day basis and not by choice. There are people out there who are starving or don't know when's the next time they will eat. It inspires me to get up and do something about it while being appreciative of the blessings that I have.
9. Your sense of smell magnifies. Does this happen to anyone else?! I feel like when I'm fasting I can smell things (food) distinctively miles away!
10. Sometimes you have to tell people that you're fasting. There might not be any way to avoid it and that's okay. There is a verse in the Bible that says we are not to tell people that we are fasting. I usually don't but I used to take it so serious thinking I can't tell a soul because it's against the Bible. As I've journeyed and fasted a few times I've come to interpret that verse as not to announce it to the world, moan and grown so that everyone can see you and think of you as "oh so holy" because you're fasting. That takes the glory away from God and you're now making it about yourself. Though I am not of the world I am still in the world and people who are around me a lot are going to realize that I (the foodie) am not eating certain things. Usually when someone asks I will initially say that I am on a special diet regimen (which is true), but it someone asks why or there's no way that I can think of to avoid the question, I will tell them I'm fasting. What else am I supposed to do? Lie? LOL. You never know, it gives me the opportunity to open up about my faith and what I believe for someone who is interested in knowing.
10. Drink water! The signal that the body sends to the brain when it is hungry is the same signal that it sends when it is thirsty. It's important to stay hydrated and water will curve the hunger most times. Sometimes when I feel hungry I'll immediately eat a snack when in fact my body might just be thirsty. Going forward I will eliminate thirst before reaching for a snack.
There are so many other points that I could list but I think I'll stop here for now. My fast is officially over and I'm not working on slowly reintroducing food to my body while still keeping in mind what I've learned in this journey. Healthy living is a priority since my body is not mine and it only on loan to me. I'll take care of this temple.
Until next time,
Tasha
Headed to a friend's birthday dinner
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