”Fasting is abiding on a gut level- an empty gut level”- page 33
As I read chapter 2, it helps me to understand even more the challenges I experienced on Day 1 and how this will be a process of letting go of worldly things blocking my spiritual growth- stress, unhealthy relationships, cravings, doubt… and in turn clinging to God.
Chapter 2 reminds us that in this process, our body will go through a detox and it can show up emotionally as well. Reading the scriptures and prayers will be essential to remind us of why we are breaking these chains of dependency on things other than God. Sugar is addictive but “weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5 NLT
How will you intentionally remain in God’s presence during this fast?
2 Responses
We got into a deep conversation of what is the difference between Happiness and Joy.
We also “sat in”: conviction to transformation. How this process is an act of determination to bring about change and improve our spiritual, physical mental and emotional wellbeing.
Excellent! Happiness is temporal and fleeting often based on external stimuli. Joy is much deeper, internally sourced and what the world cannot take away. This is also why In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the words “joy,” “rejoice,” or “joyful” appear a total of 430 times, compared with “happy” or “happiness,” which appear only ten times.” We want the Joy that only God can give!
Note- Romans 15:13,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Joy is also one of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22