Cheri Strange, Christian Speaker and Author

(This is the third post in a series of three)

To Fast…

Should I?

Nestled across the entire Bible are testimonies of those who fasted. Although these testimonies originated in different centuries, spanning a period of almost 2,000 years, they shared the same outcome. Biblically speaking, should I fast? (See Fast Thoughts: Should I? for more info.).

Could I?

Is it something I can do? What if I don’t know how to do it? I’m afraid to try. I’m afraid to fail. It seems a little weird. (See Fast Thoughts: Could I? for practical tips and answers to these fears).

Would I?

THIS is the question that will really mess with us. I know the Biblical basis for the practice of fasting. I have the encouragement to push past my fears about it. I also have practical tips for how to fast successfully at my disposal. Now, do I have the courage to do it?  

Let me be honest. Most of the time, I do not muster up the courage or even the desire to fast. I crave food. As I write, I’m hovering next to a bowl of homemade salsa with chips. It’s delicious.

Not to mention, the whole idea of fasting feels a little weird. I am an American. We do not believe in skipping meals. In fact, this morning, my daughters miscalculated the breakfast time at their day camp and we arrived too late to eat. They were so distraught I had to go buy them something at a convenience store because they were surely going to faint away if they tried to wait until lunch. Eating feels normal. Choosing to skip opportunities to eat feels weird.

The crux of the issue of whether I would choose to fast is beyond cravings for food and feelings of normalcy. Do I desire to know God more than I want to eat my chips today? Do I have questions, needs, or concerns that I need God to answer and meet? Do I want God to move in a supernatural way in my life? Am I in desperate need of change or direction in my life? When these questions and desperate needs override my fears, feelings and cravings, my answer to the question, “Would I fast?” will be, “Yes. I will.” It's just that simple.

When I choose to fast, it's as if I go from trying to work in a world lit by a dim nightlight to having six fluorescent bulbs shining over me. I don't understand it. The workings of this transformation are a mystery to me. This I know: God honors my choosing of Him over homemade salsa or anything else. It's just that simple.

What will your answer be? Would you fast?

When you are willing to say, “Yes,” and you need answers to more questions, encouragement, or prayer, post a response or write me an e-mail. But say, “Yes,” Sister. Say, “Yes.”