Fasting: It's Not Just for Food Anymore

Fasting is one of those disciplines that perplexes me. For the most part, I've associated food with fasting.

However, we can fast from different aspects of our lives to open our hearts to a deeper relationship with God.

Our lives are full of stuff--stuff that distracts us from hearing God's voice. The stuff creates a barrier that the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit cannot hear. Just as food fills our bellies and lulls us into nap-time, the stuff of life fills us an lulls us to sleep spiritually.

So....today I've been fasting. I'm fasting from criticism....being critical, not receiving it. It has been an interesting process today. Some observations:

Fasting from being critical has tested my patience. It is hard to be patient when you can't criticize others for making you wait. Ouch.

It is hard to not be critical of others. This fast is just as tough as refraining from eating food.

It is amazing how aware I became to the critical self-talk that goes through my head.

We'll see where this fast goes. The spirit is leading me on this one.

One note: When the Spirit said "fast" from a critical spirit, I obeyed. I don't know if there is a connection (I suspect there is), but God specifically answered a prayer request I've been offering up recently.

When we fast from the stuff that fills our minds and lives, it allows God to talk directly to us. Fasting opens channels to God that aren't always open. Has your spiritual life been dry lately?

Try fasting from being critical of others....and share you experience, here or with someone else.