What's fasting all about? (January 24th 2019)

Hey, kids! Tomorrow (January 25, 2019), I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed, I which means that I can't eat 8 hours beforehand. Recently in my Bible study with Jake and Mariah's Kelly, Pastor Paul and Phebe, and Keaton and Sam, we discussed fasting once or twice. Everyone in the group had fasted before, except for myself. It really made me start thinking about what fasting really is. Some fast from social media, soda, fast food, or food in general. Some fast for a day, three days, a week, even two weeks.

My thoughts on fasting have been the same since I was little, that it was stupid. Why would someone stop eating food just to pray all the time, and if they are doing it to get closer with God, why do they go on like a normal day?

Last night, I had the temptation of the flesh come over me, and I gave in, knowing it was wrong the whole time, but since I'm a selfish human, I still did it. Afterwards (this happens every time), I felt shame come over me, like I had disappointed God. So, I decided to actually do something about it this time. I went to the one person I knew would give good advice, Tiffany Dawn. I hastily looked up the video that I had already seen once, and rewatched it. After watching the video, God told me to fast. God has been telling me to fast lately, but have always given the excuse that it was bulking season, and I couldn't give up my gains. I laid my head down, and heard God tell me to fast until 4pm.

9am came, and I honestly didn't k ow what to do with myself, because the first thing I do in the mornings is get breakfast! I sat down, played my geometry video, and started chugging water.

Here are things that I realized in those seven waking hours of no food:

Fasting actually does help you get closer to God (to a degree). Throughout my days, I would think of Bible stories of people fasting. I was more sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Fasting makes you spend less time about what you're going to eat next, and more about what God is saying.

Fasting makes you realize that you're almost a slave to whatever you may be fasting, but for me, it was food. I felt so free without having to worry about food. My worries were that I was going to pass out while lifting or lose my precious muscle I worked so hard for, but everytime I had that thought, God told me, "I will provide a way." He won't lead you somewhere just to leave you, plus, I didn't get where I was without him in the first place.

Fasting makes you realize that at some point, you're going to fail. I told myself half way through the day that I felt great and could go 30 hours. I ran errands and got home around 4:30, and mom was making pancakes, big fluffy pancakes. My ultimate weakness, put some peanut butter on them, and I could die and happy girl. I told myself that it was 4:30, and I should probably eat before I go lift or go in for my surgery tomorrow anyway. As soon as I took that first bite, God showed me that no matter who you are, we all fall short, just like how the Bible says. That's where he comes in, since we all fall short of His glory, and don't deserve it, then we needed a saving grace, literally.... His son, Jesus.

Sometimes God just needs to teach us basic life lessons all over again. Never think that you are too wise or too good to hear a Bible story over again. Maybe God is going to reveal something new to you in that story.

I tell you all this, so I can pass my wisdom on to y'all. I love you a ton, and someday, you'll understand how much love I really have for you.