Doing the Hard Thing

I recently wrote about my struggle to fast in the post Do the Hard Thing. The Lord showed me that the reason I was struggling to fast was that I was addicted to comfort. We all prefer comfort over discomfort, but when it keeps you from obeying the Lord, that desire for comfort has crossed a line.

The Lord also showed me I was addicted to comfort from food. Instead of looking to Jesus for comfort, food had become the idol I turned to. I didn't turn to food just when I was sad or depressed. It was my go-to when I was happy, angry, lonely, etc.

I learned a long time ago that I cannot do anything on my own. I cannot change my ways or my mindsets. My part is to desire change. The rest is up to God. Acts 17:28 says, "...in Him we live and move and have our being." I am nothing apart from God but a blob of clay.

I began praying for change from all the wrong mindsets I had. I still pray that. The great thing is that the Lord wants that, so He does that. I believe that is a prayer the Lord will always answer. When you realize surrendering it ALL to God is the key to change, then you will see change.

My struggle with fasting has disappeared. Before, I could not bear the thought of going to bed hungry or waking up hungry during the night. Now, I don't have that dread. I did an 18-hour fast yesterday, and I was very hungry when I went to bed last night, but I slept great.

The Lord is really working in my health right now, so much so that I have done three 18-hour fasts this week. I was hungry at bedtime every time. If you haven't read the post, Do the Hard Thing mentioned at the beginning of this post, read it, and you'll understand more why this is such a big deal to me.

None of this is to brag about anything. My health is super important to me, and it has been a source of much frustration and defeat. But, God! This is just one more thing in my life that has proven how great God is, how much He loves us, and how much He will help us.

I want to encourage you to give your struggles to God. He wants to help you in every area. We do not walk alone on this earth. If we believe in Jesus, then we have all the help and resources we could possibly need. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to reach out to me.