Are You Starving Yourself?

2010 is coming to a close and as we look to begin 2011, our family is gearing up for our annual fast.

This will be our third year participating in the Daniel Fast with our church family.

If you are not familiar with fasting, or have only heard of it, it can sound super weird or super spiritual.  The truth is, fasting has been going on for decades by various people groups and it's really very simple, though hard on the flesh.

The point of fasting or giving up food (though it has come to encompass giving up many things) is to take one's focus off self and put it on God and others.

We personally take part in this each year to refocus ourselves, show God HE alone is our priority, that we want to know HIS will for our lives.  We pray in unity about issues that affect all of us.

In our home, we use this time to fast a lot of media, stick close together as a family unit, and share our hopes and dreams for the year.  We don't allow sleepovers or excessive running around at this time.  We slow life waaayyy down so that we can regroup as one, especially after the busy holiday season.

If you have never done this with your family, please consider it.  Make it personal and don't get caught up in legalism about it.  Remember, you are not the Holy Spirit for someone else!  Let God deal with your heart and lovingly guide your family through this process in humility.

I believe God's promise:  if we seek, we will find.  Ask Him to show you anything you need to lay down in order to grow...to grow closer to Him, to your family, even to understand who you are more!

Fasting is an amazing gift.  It's sad how we rarely forget to feed ourselves physically, but we often starve ourselves spiritually.

No matter where you are in life or how bad things seem, God has your answers.  He IS your answer.  The Bible says the Holy Spirit will lead you into ALL truth...not partial...complete!  Rejoice in that and give your full attention to it.  

Our holiday season in America can get absolutely crazy!  But, right now is when so many start to focus on other people and giving.  It's a great time to begin asking God how you can give the beginning of the new year to Him and what your family's fast should look like.  


Every year we reap tremendous reward for our time and discipline in fasting.  I pray that each family would come back to this practice and reap as well.

Blessings to you and yours~