21 Days Is A Long Time To Fast...

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So, I’m scrolling on Facebook and I notice a post from Saddleback Women Pray that’s challenging us to fast and pray for our church for 21 days. I had experienced a one day fast, but 21 days????

Yeah, right.

I kept reading.

There were 4 types of fasts to choose from. I’d fasted and prayed in the past, but the ‘Complete Fast’ got my attention. Hmmmm…that’s a long time to drink juice only. I’m not a drinker of water, juice, or anything really. I don’t thirst. On mission, I use my water ration to wash my hair. There’s no way I could juice fast for 21 days.

I kept reading.

I looked over the list of people who should NEVER fast hoping one of these would apply to me. Well, there went my hope for an excuse.

A day went by and I couldn’t get this fast off my mind.

Another day went by and I still couldn’t stop thinking about the juice fast. Jesus said, “WHEN you fast,…” not IF you fast (Matthew 6:16).

The next day, I started the 21-day juice fast. I had no idea what I was doing. I’d done zero preparation. I gave myself the caveat that if I felt bad, I’d back off and do the Daniel Fast. My faith in myself fasting for 21 days was about the size of a mustard seed, but oh, the things God can do with that much faith! My New Year’s resolution has been to “die to self” for the past 3 years in a row. This fast would definitely get my year started off right. I wanted a closer relationship with God. I wanted to love the Giver (God of the Universe) more than His good gifts (food). “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

The first week went smoothly. I was in tune with God and in tune with my body waiting for any sign to quit. There were no adverse signs. I was drinking veggie juice that my body had never experienced. It’s amazing my body didn’t go into shock. I was drinking beets, kale, carrots, apples – none of which were in my normal everyday diet. No headaches from caffeine withdrawal. No cravings for chocolate. What???

The Holy Spirit was sustaining me. He wanted me to succeed for His glory and my good.

Though I wasn’t doing this fast and prayer to lose weight, that’s what happened the first week. All of a sudden, I noticed that my thumbs weren’t hurting any more, my back wasn’t aching, my allergies cleared up, and the floaters in my eyes were fading. I wasn’t exercising because my calorie intake had greatly diminished. I was calmer. My brain fog was lifting. I was feeling the presence of God clearly like I had felt so many times before on mission. I was communing with God at all times during the day. I wasn’t talking to him or asking for things, but I could feel His constant presence.

Week two was dragging along. I had no hunger pangs, but I was getting bored. I wanted to chew some food. I started chewing crushed ice in my water and juice. This was the solution I needed. I was able to memorize scripture for my Genesis Bible study. I had clarity. I remembered Dr. Amen speaking about the effects of sugar on the brain at a Daniel Plan event. He said that cocaine and sugar affect the same area of the brain. Whoa. Sugar was interfering with my peace of mind. At this point, I knew I would never allow sugar to be such a stronghold in my life like it used to be. I decided to go back on the Daniel Plan after this 3 week detox and refocus.

I was sleeping soundly and not waking up in the middle of the night. I was waking refreshed in the mornings. Smiling. Praising God for His new mercies each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Great is God’s faithfulness!

At one point I cooked a pound of bacon for my family, and was not tempted to eat a slice. What? That’s not like this Southern girl! Clearly, the Holy Spirit was helping me exercise the ninth fruit of the Spirit – self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

I was missing my friends, so I asked them to meet me at juice places. They were so gracious and ‘juiced’ with me for lunch. I made friends with the owner of one of the juice bars. She was a sister in the faith and made special juices for me. I knew she was interceding for me. Such kindness.

As I persevered (this fast was not fast), I couldn’t help but remember that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert (Luke 4:2). Christ died on the cross for my sins. In light of His great sacrifice, what was a 21-day juice fast for me? How could I complain about the length of time? I can do all things (even this fast) through Christ who strengthens me. I pressed on. May God be glorified by my humble offering! “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1st Corinthians 10:31).

Finally, it was week three. I could see the finish line. I wanted to end well for Jesus! He was sustaining me. I still had no ill effects. Weight loss had slowed down. I felt good. I was happy and content. Since I wasn’t buying food, cooking food or exercising, I had more time for reflection, relaxation, reading and meditating on God’s Word. Prayers were being answered (Ezra 8:23). I was amazed by it all and thanked God.

Two days before breaking the fast, I was wondering if my stomach could withstand adding solid food. I read that re-entry could have dramatic physical effects. How would my body react? Adding food was anticlimactic, but I was not feeling elated about breaking the fast. I was sad to see this precious time come to an end like saying goodbye to your team upon returning home from mission. I had enjoyed the intimate communion with and total dependence on God. I didn’t want food to distract me from all that God offered me on a daily basis. I wanted EVEN MORE of Him. That was my goal and will be until I die. God helped me achieve that. He allowed me to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

When I told my family I might do this 21-day fast every January, they said, “Why???” They questioned me - not because I was “hangry”, (I wasn’t ever hungry or angry). It was because they missed the social aspect of eating together. I realized just how much God intends us to use food to fellowship with one another. It’s a foreshadowing of when we will feast with Him at “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9) in heaven. What a glorious day that will be!