Daniel Fast Day 6 :: Free
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
~Daniel 1:8
Like Daniel, I am concerned with my sin against God, and having no control over my eating habits is indeed sin for me. Maybe it is for you, too? Some of these reflections may seem like this is all about my body, my weight, my image; but this is about my spirit. The core issue is obedience and desire to be holy. So these Daniel-like, self-imposed restrictions are going to have to last for a lifetime, not a mere 21 days. For me, this is not a fast, but a purge. I am purging from my lifestyle this being out of control. It must become again foreign to me.
I'd be lying if I said it was easy reflecting on a very private struggle. I am a pastor's wife and thus a leader by association, who some (in my real life) look to as an example and mentor. And honestly, my dress size isn't so large that it can't keep the little secret I'm divulging here—that I struggle with control over how I eat. I worry that in my candor I might be a stumbling block rather than the encourager I desire to be. But I decided to deal with it here—openly, finally—because I really do want God's victory, and I want to be the overcomer He intended me to be. And I hope you find the encouragement to do the same.
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, so lack of it must be fruit from the king's table in this foreign land we call Earth. From this I must fast and be freed in order to be a stronger and healthier child of God.
So I ate a modest amount of tuna on Triscuits with my grapes at lunch today. Because they are healthy. And God is gaining control.
After ten days they looked healthier and stronger than the young men
who had been eating the king’s rich food.
~ Daniel 1:15
3 comments
Dawn, thank you for your daily postings. It is indeed an encouragement. So precious to see you being so open. It shows those that you mentor and lead and friends that you are real and that you are allowing the Lord to grow and mold you even in this uncomfortable area of your life. You are teaching even as you are sharing daily. Thank you dear sweet friend.
ReplyDeletenot sure about the tuna; lately, I've been reading about mercury poisoning and tuna. sure hope I'm wrong 'cause I've got four cans of tuna in the pantry and it's calling my name.
ReplyDeleteGirls, you crack me up. Thank you, Connie, for your encouraging and kind words. They made me cry. Then I read Sandra at Thistle Cove's worries about her tuna, and I laughed, not 10 seconds apart. Aah, the blessings of friends.
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