Lessons from a Fast

I started the slow process of breaking an 18 day fast yesterday. I hadn’t eaten anything since 11 AM, April 18th. I’m not a faster, but this was an absolute command of God. He said “stop eating,” so I did. In the broader context there are some things going on in my church that required the best of my attention, and so it was to that end that God called me to fast. I also knew that he expected me to fast until after a certain event on May 5th.

I never dreamed I could do it. But God was more than gracious and he ended up giving me one of the best experiences of my adult spiritual life. Here are a few of the things I learned:

Food was an idol for me. I crave food and dread going without it. I mean I freak out. Anything I want that badly and think I can’t live without is an idol.
I can live without food. It wasn’t even hard. I had the shakes a bit on day 2 as my body detoxed, but I never suffered. And the brief hunger I felt in the final days was actually less intense than what I might feel on any normal day.
I had loads of energy. I felt better and had more energy than when I eat.
My mind was clearer. I had unbelievable clarity and the ability to stay focused for much longer periods of time.
I heard God much more clearly. That’s a major benefit of fasting–your spiritual discernment soars.
I was bolder. Fasting killed any fear and sense of insecurity about talking to others about Jesus. It’s like he’s standing right there with you, so why be afraid?
God honored it. The outcome I was seeking through my fasting has been (at least so far), surpassed by God.

I will fast again. I loved it. I fully expect that God will lead me at some point to go 40 days. It would be an honor.

So, are you seeking clarity? Do you need God to move miraculously? Want more boldness? Want to be humbled? Stop eating. You’ll be amazed what God will do.