Fast Forward

How many times lately have you wanted to hit the rewind button? How many situations have you been in where you wished you could fast-forward? Right now, considering our current state, many of us would choose either option! There is no denying that pandemic and panic are embedded in the same area of trouble.

I learned early in life that sometimes to get to the root of a problem you have to go back in history. In Biblical times, when there was trouble in the land, the leaders would often call the people to a fast.

So, what does it mean to fast? It depends on whom you ask. Fasting in its simplest form is abstaining from food for a period of time. In this instance, however, where we are looking for spiritual guidance, fasting is more than just going without food. It is intentionally shifting the focus from food (the physical) to faith (the spiritual).

We’ve become so weighed down in the problems and issues of the day that we’ve forgotten the basic Biblical practices to follow in times of trouble. We’ve also forgotten that we are not equipped to fix problems of this magnitude by ourselves.

Listen, this pandemic is global. In addition to staying at home, washing your hands, social distancing and all other guidelines by the CDC and government—and also while our medical experts work hard to develop a vaccine—let’s “own our opportunities” as citizens to call on a power that’s bigger than us to end this plague!

One of the most natural things we do is eat. When we give up eating, we are giving up what is natural. When we deliberately turn from the natural and seek the spiritual, we can concentrate our time and attention on God and our faith. This is very powerful.

Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves. By doing so, we acknowledge that we are not in control and that there is a presence greater than us who can guide us through the storm.

So, in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, an idea came to me to go on a three-day spiritual fast. Because when you combine fasting with prayer, there is no telling what God will do. He can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” according to Ephesians 3:20.

I am inviting you to join me on this three-day fast beginning April 1^st at 12:00am through 11:59pm on April 3^rd.

During these three days of fasting, I am not going to eat any food and will only drink water. However, if you find going this period of time without any food too much of a challenge, then set your own time limits. Do what you can for as long as you can, but at least try. All are welcomed!

During the fast, I also encourage you to take an hour each day to do these three things:

1. Reflect on a scripture or other words of hope.
2. Listen to a song that inspires you, gives you hope and makes you feel strong.
3. Speak an encouraging word to at least one other person.

Subscribers to JulietHall.com will receive scriptures, song suggestions and positive messages daily during the fast, so subscribe to the tribe by CLICKING HERE .

Finally, I ask that you invite at least one other person to join you on the fast. It seems like victories are sweeter and revelations are clearer when they are shared. Let’s “fast forward” together! If you have questions or comments, please leave them in the space below. I will be checking and answering daily.

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