The Simple Life at Home: Why I've Got No Menu Plan This Week

4:46 AM | Posted by Lori ~ The Simple Life at Home | | Edit Post

A few days ago, I posted about how God has been drawing me to himself. Through a study I've been doing on quiet time, God has really been changing my heart, causing me to desire to know Him more and more.

And now it seems I'm being challenged to be more and more obedient to Him as well. It all started a couple of weeks ago. In the course of doing the Creative Counterpart study I'm going through here on the blog, I made a commitment to cheerfully do what my husband asks of me. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Last week, while out on a date, my husband asked me to consider fasting during the day, in the same way that Muslims here are doing during the month of Ramadan. He had seen an increase in health and a serious weight loss in some of his co-workers in just the first two weeks of Ramadan.

Now, when I made this commitment, I was thinking more along the lines of doing some ironing, taking out the garbage, etc. Fasting was not something that had ever entered my mind. And yet, mindful of the commitment (which I had prayed over and asked God to guide me in), I told him that I would consider it. This alone was huge for me.

And now, I find myself reading an amazing book. I Dared to Call Him Father is the story of a Muslim Pakistani woman who came to Christ, through a series of miraculous interventions from God. Following her conversion, she became completely and totally devoted to following God's leading in every step of her life, time and time choosing obedience over everything - even at risk of her own life. I have been so inspired that I have decided to follow my husband's request (which I totally trust that God knew would happen when He called me to make such a commitment).

Now for many of you, this probably wouldn't be an issue. But I believe that I have a deep stronghold in my life in the area of food. It has become a comfort to me and, in some respects, an idol. I know that I make choices that are displeasing to God (because they do not honor my body which is a gift from Him), and yet, I don't care enough to stop.

Recently I read something in the Bible that shook me to the core.

Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1: 28-33

You see, for years God has been speaking to me about my food "addiction" and my weight and I've just ignored Him. I've been complacent. And in the verse above I find that complacency will destroy me. It will destroy my health, my marriage, my self-image and, worse of all, my relationship with God.

So I'm committing this week to fasting for the next three days, until Wednesday night. At that point, I will move to the fast which my husband requested, from sunrise to sunset until the beginning of October. My goal in this is not really weight loss, but to overcome the strongholds that I've built up spiritually and to "discipline my body and keep it under control" (1 Cor. 9:27).

Now, I know that Scripture says not to make a big fuss when you are fasting and here I am announcing it to the bloggity world at large. My logic in putting it on here is multi-fold.

First, I would like to ask you to pray for me if you could during this time, that God will strengthen me and help me overcome these barriers.

Second, I want to encourage you to choose obedience, even when it's tough.

Third, if you are struggling with the same issues, I'd love to talk with you about them. Perhaps we can encourage each other.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...: Lori, you're awesome!

I've never fasted before. I get unbelievably grouchy (and just plain mean!) when I'm hungry. When I'm too hungry, I start to tremble and shake.

I'll be praying for you.

Good for you for choosing obedience. I read that passage in Proverbs yesterday, and it caught my attention, too.

More about the upcoming elections than personal issues. Like if we're too complacent with what our leaders want, it will destroy our nation. That's mostly what I got ouf of it... which DOES NOT mean that's what God was saying! Just kind of what I felt.; September 22, 2008 at 5:34 AM
Catherine said...: Lori,

I'll be praying for you tonight. This is also a huge issue for me. My counselor and I are supposed to start working on it this week.

Blessings,
Catherine; September 22, 2008 at 5:44 AM
Amy said...: Lori, You are so on the right track. I'm very proud of you and your relationship with God seems to be growing leaps and bounds. I know the fast will be hard. I will be praying for you. Just get that Bible our everytime you have a hunger pain God will bring you to a new place if you continue to honor him. Which you seem to be doing just that.; September 22, 2008 at 6:26 AM
Misty said...: i will also pray for you. i am thankful to get a glimpse into your honoring your commitment to consider your husband's request as well as to prayerfully give this stronghold area to God. food is a hard area for me, too. i'm proud and excited for you, and i hope God blesses you.; September 22, 2008 at 6:28 AM
tammi said...: You certainly have my prayers, Lori! I've always found you to be inspiring ~ both in your walk with God and your desire to live life as a godly homemaker and wife ~ and I know God will use you in this as well.

Would you be interested in linking up with Live Well Wednesdays over at CWO? I think your perspective and insight might be of interest and encouragement to a lot of women.; September 22, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Pamela Fierro said...: Wow, Lori. I admire your commitment so much and thank you for sharing your faith on your blog. I will be praying for you.; September 22, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Lori,
I'll keep you in my prayers as you accept this challenge. I can see myself in a lot of the ways you described your relationship with food. You may be helping me to get more motivated in this area, too.
God Bless.; September 22, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't consider this bragging about fasting - I think it is wonderful that you are doing this! You are honoring your hubby and I have no doubt the Lord will teach you many things during this time.

I too struggle with my weight and perception of food. It's an area God is (constantly!) working on with me and it's very difficult. I will pray for you and I look forward to hearing more about what He is doing with you. I could use the encouragement! :); September 22, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Karen said...: I'm thinking if you are like me, you weren't expecting some of the things that are coming out of that study. (I've been dealing with "obedience" issues as well. sigh.) Anyway, you know I will be praying for you.; September 23, 2008 at 2:34 AM
Stacey said...: wow, this is big lori! i applaud you for your faithfulness.

i want to get this book!; September 23, 2008 at 2:50 AM
Anonymous said...: Wow-know that I will keep you in prayer.
This is an area of struggle for so many, including myself. Your post was convicting to me as well.
Thanks for being obedient.; September 23, 2008 at 4:52 AM
Nancy M. said...: I think it is wonderful that you are doing this. I honestly love food too much. It would probably be good for me to fast, maybe not for my diabetes, though. I will pray for you. Best of luck!; September 23, 2008 at 6:22 PM