I must say, I was astonished how quickly God's word (once planted in my heart and "fed" by the ongoing practice of staying true to following His word) changed my physical life. As a Christian, I had a basic understanding of "fasting". However, the only fasting I had ever committed to before was water fast (only drinking water for a period of time). When I felt the Lord declaring for me to fast, I prayed asking Him what kind of fast. Very clearly I heard Him say (in my mind) to me, "A liquid fast." As I pondered that thought for a moment the idea of what I would drink came quickly to me; smoothies. I loved drinking smoothies from my favorite smoothie shop, so the thought of having to fast doing something I could handle (smoothies versus water) sounded somewhat inviting. However, God had a different purpose in mind when He spoke to me that day and He used "smoothies" to get me started. Little did I know then that God would use what He gave me to help so many other people. By the way, most fast food smoothies contain some unhealthy contents (i.e. sugar), something I quickly learned during my first few days of the fast. Once I realized what the contents were, I began making my own healthy smoothies. In my seminars and in my wellness guide I teach you how to make "healthy" smoothies/soups for wellness during a fast.
So what is fasting from a biblical perspective? We fast to come into God's presence and seek His will for our lives as we carry out God's plan for our lives through ministry. (Acts 13:3) We fast as an act of submission/obedience to God, placing Him first in our lives, so that we might have the physical ability to follow His will for our life. (Daniel 1:8-17) We fast to overcome (temptations), while being strengthened by the power of God's Holy Spirit overcoming our flesh and its weaknesses. (Matthew 4:4). The length of time we "fast" will vary from person to person and dependent upon our circumstances (current health, etc.)
Wisdom is a God-given gift to us, so don't do anything that would jeopardize your health and wellness. You should always consult with your health care physician before doing anything that affects your diet/wellness.
Fasting for the sake of losing weight would be offensive to God's purpose/plan for our life. However, when we fast (unhealthy eating/drinking) using sound and healthy methods (meal replacement liquids, soups with healthy minerals/vitamins/low sodium) for a period of time (3-7 days recommended) our body is given a chance to rest and detoxify (cleanse the toxins out of our system) while replenishing our system with good antioxidants. If our purpose for fasting is based upon biblical principals then we must couple our fasting with prayer.
A biblical approach to wellness encompasses prayer and fasting, uniting our body, mind and spirit into submission to God's will in everything we do. As I pursued God's will for my life (through prayer and fasting) I experienced spiritual strongholds that attempted to defeat me. But as I "prayed" it through, I became stronger and able to defeat the "enemy". The results for me were astounding. By the end of the first week, I was feeling stronger, healthier and more invigorated than I had ever felt before. By the end of the second week my ability to exercise, move freely and fluidly amazed me and everyone around me. By the end of the third week (I prayed and fasted for 21 days - as God led me daily to continue), I was a new person. To this day I still receive the benefits of the Holy Spirit in my life and how that season of "prayer and fasting" changed me forever.
Although I fasted as God directed me to, I would never tell anyone to fast for any period of time over 7 days using the methods I teach. Why? Fasting water only can be dangerous and unsafe if continued over long periods of time. The length of time I fasted was God directed (I sought God's will daily as I continued my fast). I'm (obviously) not in a position to tell you to do as I did (fast for 21 days). But I will encourage you to take your fasting one day at a time, seeking God's will for your life and paying attention to how your body is responding to fasting using the methods I teach. A "water only” fast can be very dangerous to your health. Remember: I drank my nutrients/vitamins/protein/carbohydrates/healthy fats during my fast through healthy smoothies/soups. That's entirely different than water only fast. Biblical history speaks of both "water" fasting and "nutritional" fasting. I teach "nutritional fasting" for wellness.
As you pursue God's will for your life, I encourage you to pray, read the Bible, go to church and ask God to speak into your heart/mind and spirit His will for you. If God is calling you to fast, you will know. Remember this: God will not ever call you into doing something that endangers your health but He will call you into obedience to save your health. I've learned that "fasting" as I have described actually restored my health while defeating the strongholds against me (i.e. unhealthy eating, cravings, depression, fatigue, lack of energy, ability to exercise/move freely). My body needed a rest and (I believe) God used fasting to give my body that "rest" while replenishing my body with good/healthy things (nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals).
When we seek God we will find Him and He will give us the power to overcome any stronghold being held against us. Seek God today for His will in your life and experience the benefits of "wellness" from God's perspective.
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