My spiritual muscles needed some intense training.....
"Sometimes you are so hungry, that the only way to be fed is to fast." -Susan Gregory
About a month ago, I decided to take some time off from training my physical body and focus on some major spiritual work that my soul had been craving. I knew I needed to do some kind of a fast in order to get more spiritually connected to God at this time. I've never really been good with fasting because of the food aspect of it. My body is used to eating quite often. I remember our pastor suggesting that the congregation start doing some kind of fast as we prepared for an evangelism series that was coming up. I started researching and came upon the 21 Day Daniel Fast. I prayed about it and knew it was the right one for me. My official start date was 2/14/11 and I just ended it this sunday 3/6/11. OH EMM GEEE at all that transpired within the last 4 weeks of my life. I would say that the combination of the amazing evangelism series with Pastor Dave plus fasting during that time really purged and enlightened my spirit in a way that I've never experienced before. Let's just say that God really showed up in my life, showing me who I really am and trust me it was NOT all pretty AT ALL!!!
These were some of the most challenging and painful weeks I've ever experienced. Within this time, my relationship with God & with myself got more raw & more real in a way that I've never known before. Now, I'm truly starting to see and understand who I am in HIM! Now I understand that I can do NOTHING without HIM! Things will only work out in my life when I am in alignment with my Creator. I need to be waaay better in asking for help. *Exhales* and my journey continues....the more I seek his help in letting go of control, the more He takes care of me(also through. I am still learning but now I am more hungry for spiritual food than ever! God please help me keep this hunger for you. I am so grateful for the amazing people in my life who know what I went through and going through now. I love you all so much more than words! Also grateful for all those who pray for me not knowing the need. Udeze, my sweetheart, my beautiful man...I truly have no words for how much I appreciate all you are to me. For your unconditional love and care for me even in my most stubborn moments....thank you! I thank God for you! The Food Part: The Daniel Fast allows you to eat but there were restrictions. I was fine because most of the foods on the list were things I already ate but cutting all dairy, EGGS, meat/fish products and even raw sugar or honey was challenging for me towards the ends. I used to eat eggs everyday. I actually felt sick at the sight and smell of chicken yesterday.....umm, I hope this is temporary!
The only part I will say I didn't care for was the weight loss. This was precisely why I stayed out of the gym during the fast. I was eating enough food but my body always starts shrinking when I stay out of the gym too long (ESPECIALLY my lower body :( I didn't think I was getting enough protein to keep hitting the weight room. I lost about 8 or 9lbs. For my body frame, that's a lot. Back to my regular eating schedule today and back to the gym. I gotta gain that weight back asap! Overall, the spiritual gains were DEFINITELY worth it all!
Here was today's lunch. I was on the road but you already know I always got my cooler =)
Lunch #1~ Herb baked Salmon with roasted Aparagus(olive oil, salt, pep & garlic pwd), Brocolli, Tomatoes and Sweet Potato...YUM!
My dear Ogechi, I've only read a couple of blogs and enjoyed them. As I texted you I'll try the Bunny-approved muffins with my own alterations as well.
The next time you want to do the Daniel Fast, let me know. I've done the fast about 4 or 5 times. I like to do it at the beginning of every year in January. I've got a number of recipes that supply enough protein (and flatulence)!
My dear Ogechi, I've only read a couple of blogs and enjoyed them. As I texted you I'll try the Bunny-approved muffins with my own alterations as well.
ReplyDeleteThe next time you want to do the Daniel Fast, let me know. I've done the fast about 4 or 5 times. I like to do it at the beginning of every year in January. I've got a number of recipes that supply enough protein (and flatulence)!