Shew me thy ways, O Lord…
Ps 25:4a
Despite the fact I’ve spent decades studying herbalism and homeopathy, what tends to throw me is self-diagnosis. Oh, I knew this intellectually, I’d be told this would be the case and that I’d need others to come alongside and help me, but the heart is a stubborn thing, and easily prodded into self-reliance, resistance, and denial. It is the humble and quiet heart that seeks the proper diagnosis and protocol, and as such wisdom is necessary in where that help is sought. For who has not suffered from overly critical or careless advice from the wrong source?
Sobering still is the assumption that all is well if all systems are quiet, and there is no need to check for any submarine surprises. A wise woman (and man) will take time to check in, to shine a light under the hood, to have someone else hold up the mirror and manual and ask, “Is all well?” There’s no sense in waiting for the rattle, or ignoring its vibration, but we all, really, are bent in ignoring any lights that may pop up on our dashboard in plain view, so we’re not real keen to go looking for what is not lit up.
Who can understand his errors? (Ps19:12a)
Who, indeed? Even as today I assume and assure myself that I am in the right of however I feel or whatsoever I do, I recall too many instances of regret or false steps of yesterday. Presumably, I was absolutely correct at that time, too, But wisdom is justified of her children, (Matt 11:19) and there’s no denying (though I might try) that some of those apples were rotten.
It is the wise woman who takes time to pause and consider and check on how she really is, whether her body with help from an intelligent healer or her finances from a wealthy and honorable advisor. It is also the wise woman who will quiet her heart and take it to the Great Physician for a proper view of her soul, which will outlive both her physical body and her worldly finances.
A friend of mine laid out her plan to do so, and it was thus: to decide ahead of time times of seeking and fasting, and to mark them upon the calendar. Thus she was decided, and knew those times would be coming, so already her heart was softened and prepared, like good soil.
…cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me… (Ps 19:12-13a)
There are many reasons for considering a fast:
to shine light on sins suppressed, excused, or denied
without holiness, no one will see the Lord
to make ready for the bridegroom
humility, thankfulness, trust, joy
to put to death presumptuous sins (those you allow because you assume God’s favor)
to learn to forgive, rejoice, pray, and witness
to enter into suffering as a means of surrender and greater dependence upon the Lord
to grow in trust for every want and need, resting in His timing and sovereignty
What might preparing for fasts ahead of time look like?
Choose your plan. For example, you might choose a number of 40 day fasts in the year; my friend chose five. These can be around specific times such as Lent, in which you’d be in community with many saints doing the same, and/or around other times more personal to you, such as a birthday. But decide ahead of time, and mark them all down in your calendar, as unbreakable appointments. Whether it’s once a week or once a season, deciding and planning ahead gives your desires considerably more weight.
You don’t need to know ahead of time what your fast for each one will be. Rather, pray about what would be appropriate as you approach the time of fasting.
Here are some examples of fasting ideas:
foods: sugar, alcohol, caffeine, candy, chocolate, coffee, toast…(“I can’t do without my daily…”)
sleep: give up late nights and go to bed early, fast from late night reading, or TV
intake: outside news, social media, reading (other than the Bible)
people: fast from those who stoke anger or offense, enablers, critical people, talk shows
other: scrolling, shopping, makeup, sedentary sitting, driving, excess exercise, etc.
The point is to give something up for a period of time to reveal what you may have been using as a crutch, a broken cistern, or an idol. Even if that thing is “good”, perhaps it’s taken the place of God, and thankfulness for that good thing has been crowded out by expectation or entitlement. What would it be like to fast from electricity!
These questions might help reveal a profitable fast. What action or emotion do these evoke? Do you like your answers? Are those answers forwarding you towards holiness?
When I am disappointed, I…
When I am frustrated, I…
When I am angry, I…
When I am sad, I…
When I am hurt, I…
When I am bored, I…
When I need love, I….
When I need affirmation, I…
When I need community, I…
When I need care, I…
When I need protection, I…
When I need assurance, I…
I can’t seem to get over…
I am mad that I can’t seem to stop…
I wish I were more…
I … so that people will think I am …
I already know I need to …
On the other side of a fast, I believe I would …
Perhaps the Lord is revealing to you what would be profitable to you for your first fast. More to ponder:
The three things I need to do or get into order ahead of time for me to succeed in this fast are:
A Bible verse or passage I will copy and keep in front of me to help me is:
If I need accountability, I will ask … to do so.
My best reasons for doing this fast are…
My first fast will begin … and end on … I will be fasting from …
It is worth considering our ways, because our lives, short as they are, are precious and have worth. We are made to reflect and glorify God. With the Holy Spirit’s enabling, we will be more formed into Christ’s likeness, and reflect His goodness. Our dependence upon God will bring His teaching, as He does not turn away the humble and contrite spirit. And, although fasting likely brings gifts of tangible benefits such as weight loss, self control, or clarity of mind, the focus is not on those gifts but on the Giver of those things and our peace comes from knowing He gives and takes away as it is best for us.
The expectation is not healing, per se, but “Nearer, my God, to Thee”, and to let Him have His perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing, and ready to receive the crown of life for all eternity. James 1 is an excellent read as you consider these things.
I hope you’ll join my friend and I, and plan for your own fasts for the upcoming year. If you’d like an easy copy of the previous questions to print out for a quiet thinking and journaling time, click HERE.
May your year be blessed!
Keri Mae, thank you so much for this. A few years ago, I came to a place of understanding that my salvation depends entirely on Jesus Christ stepping out of eternity and into my own time and space to reach me and make me his own child. I really began to understand what is meant by “salvation by grace through faith,” and I try to remember His grace and rest in it all the time. What I’ve noticed is that reveling in that grace has freed me to pursue being close to him by cultivating virtue. It’s like I want to avoid sin, but I also want to make an effort to put myself in the path of virtue as well, knowing that my own efforts can’t save me and that my failure won’t make Jesus feel any differently about me than I felt about my toddlers falling down as they learned to walk. I love the idea of fasting as a way to open the eyes of my heart to see where Jesus is moving in my life and what areas of my life need his touch in a particular season. I come from a liturgical tradition and I am intrigued at the prospect of taking a “fasting check-up” during Lent. May He bless you and keep you. I wish I knew you in person.
Thank you, Susan, for your heartfelt thoughts and encouraging words. I loved this: “…knowing that my own efforts can’t save me and that my failure won’t make Jesus feel any differently about me than I felt about my toddlers falling down as they learned to walk.” So true. It is our gratefulness to Him that spurs our desire to closely walk with Him; may He bless us as we endeavor to do so, and remind us of His love even as our efforts are so meager.