Turn Dieting Hunger (and Other Involuntary Challenges) into a Fast

I have been beating this drum of late about how many things we could turn into a fast, if we thought to do so. 

I was at dinner one day with a new friend, when he mentioned that he had lost 100 pounds in the last year or two, by the old-fashioned method of calorie restriction and increased movement. 

“The ongoing hunger pangs are the worst to deal with.”

“You could turn those hunger pangs into a fast!”

Dutchwoman Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews from the Nazis during World War II. One of the best books I’ve ever read, her book The Hiding Place tells of God’s provision before and after they were arrested, imprisoned, and sent to concentration camps. 

In the sequel, Tramp for the Lord, she tells this story: “I remember in Ravensbruck … when we had very little to eat, my sister Betsie said, ‘Let us dedicate this involuntary fast to the Lord that it may become a blessing.’ Almost immediately we found we had power over the demons that were tormenting us and were able to exercise that power to cast them out of our barracks” (71). 

This doesn't make sense in the natural. The two sisters didn’t have enough to eat, either before they dedicated their hunger to the Lord, or afterwards.

But when they dedicated their hunger to the Lord, it became a source of power and authority over spiritual oppression in their lives. Though the physical circumstances didn’t change, the spiritual reality did. 

Turn the hunger to an involuntary fast. 

Then I was talking to another friend, who said, "I have a lot of things to do. There are not enough hours in the day to get them all done. I'm feeling overwhelmed.”

That’s another possibility for an involuntary fast! (Also preaching to myself here.) 

Every time we think, “I don't know what to do, and I'm overwhelmed,” we can turn our attention back to the Lord. 

Any time we think: I am not as efficient as I could be … that’s another possible fast.

Lord, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

May we focus on what you are doing, so we may be prepared.

And for any place where we can partner with you in an involuntary fast, please would you give us greater spiritual authority. 

Thank you that you bless us with the opportunity to partner with you in greater measure, even in the everyday challenges that we walk through. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

This is what we hope for: that, as your faith increases, we will be given a much larger space for work,

Amy Joy

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