Quite a few people have been asking questions about how to fast. Here are just a few of the things that I am doing in preparation and things that you may want to do also.
I am weaning myself off caffeine this week. You will have headaches for a couple of days when you stop drinking sodas and coffee that have caffeine, start taking them away the week before the fast to make it easier once you start.
If you plan to do an extended fast, beyond 3 to 7 days, I highly recommend that you have a conversation with your family doctor. I did this 2 years ago when I did my first 40 day fast and was told, “you are healthy, do what God is leading you to do, and if you realize things aren’t going well, then eat.” It’s about common sense, however, don’t give up at the first sign of discomfort, fasting is not comfortable.
I am pretty much going about life this week as I would any other time. However, I am going to eat some of my favorite foods and in some of my favorite restaurants. (Gondola’s Plug Here)
When I completed my 1st 40 day fast I broke the fast with food from Gondolas and the owner was scared for me to eat there first. I will never forget it, he said, “No, you cannot eat in my restaurant, you might die.” Yassir then fixed me a salad with fruit that was really a great way to break the fast. I did make some mistakes breaking that extended fast and I will share thoughts on that as the 40 days wind down.
You don’t want to try to over eat to compensate for the fast, that’s not going to help at all.
I am getting prepared spiritually. I am choosing numerous books that I will read during the 40 days. I like to read books that describe the benefits of fasting to keep me encouraged. I also like to read devotional works because it is a definite growth time in anyone’s spiritual life. Of course I will read the Bible a lot during this time, last time I read the NT, this time I am going to focus on the OT Prophets. God is speaking to me from here these days.
Reminder, fasting is not a weight loss program but you will definitely lose weight. On my 1st 40 day fast I lost 40 pounds. I weigh every day just to keep track of how that is progressing and if you struggle with watching your weight like I do, then the weight loss is a GREAT benefit.
I gave up dark sodas several years ago but still drink Sprite. I will start to leave that behind this week and get more water going into my system.
One of the things that I love most is running, I will run up to the day the fast begins but not after. I made the mistake last time of running about 20 days into my 1st 40 day fast because I honestly felt so good. Needless to say after I finished the 2 miles I bottomed out and had to have a broth to get me started again, I don’t want to do that this time. I do plan to walk every day, probably not more than a mile and not in any way to do it fast. I like to run, walk, and pray. I can’t imagine not doing that.
I am positive, no doubts, God intends for us to take a Sabbath rest every 7 days. I’m preparing to truly do this in 2012 and beyond. This is not going to be easy but I know if we do our part in 6 days, God will go above and beyond what we could ever imagine in the one day that we truly rest. My day of rest will not be Sunday, it is one of the busiest days of my week. It will likely be Friday or Saturday on most weeks.
I am sure there is more, if you have questions feel free to leave a comment here or message me on FB, twitter, or the cell.
Pastor Ronnie
