I’m happy to tell you that you are just about through the
most difficult time of any fast, the first several days. The first several days can be pretty tough
because you are introducing your body to a different eating pattern and your
mind to a different level of focus and solitude. This can seem tough at first! In his book called, “Fasting,” Jentezen
Franklin devotes an entire chapter to discussing the importance of “dethroning
king stomach.” In essence, this is what
we are doing when we begin to fast; we are re-taking control of our urges and
impulses. A tremendous benefit of taming
our urges and impulses in the way we eat is the fact that this seems to spill
over in every other area of our lives.
By engaging in the discipline of fasting, we are somehow able to gain
better control over our tongue, our thoughts, our eyes, and other mediums
through which we engage life. So, I encourage
you to hang in there; while it may require some good old fashioned discipline
at first, it gets easier and it will yield results in many ways in your life.
As you pray and meditate today, consider these three principles
which Franklin shares in his book to show us the far-reaching benefits of fasting
at the start of the year: 1) Fasting in January sets the pace and course for
the remainder of your year; 2) Your fasting now will result in blessings continuing
to trickle into your life throughout the remainder of the year; and 3) Your fast
helps to set in motion the principle of Matthew 6:33, wherein the Lord tells us
that when we seek Him first, He will automatically add all the other
things we need for a successful life.
Friend, remain focused and vigilant. Remember to not only speak to God in prayer,
but also listen to Him in prayer. Sometimes,
we miss rich revelation because we fail to take time to simply be quiet during
prayer and listen for the Holy Spirit to speak.
Finally, resist any urges to deviate from the goal even when the
temptation to do so seems strong. You’re
a winner and together we will walk the road of divine victory.
In Him,
Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.
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