Day 13

Today is Day 13 of our Daniel Fast.  We find ourselves with all types of “knee jerk” reactions to food and eating behavior. Yesterday, we were shopping at the grocery store.  It was late afternoon, low 80’s and I was feeling a little fatigued and weak. Many times under such conditions I would resort to a Dr. Pepper.  For the first time on the fast, it went thru my mind, “hey, a Dr. Pepper would be good right now”.  And while there’s not anything terribly sinful about a DP, there is also nothing nutritionally redeeming in it.  The body is not craving the sugar and caffeine, but the brain is still programmed that “this is what we do in the afternoon when we’re feeling fatigued”.  Changing unproductive behavior is a challenge and the part of the fast that we now deal with each day.  And just for the record, it can be irritating.  I have noticed that we all are a little more grumpy, particularly when it comes to decision-making time.  During these moments, and it doesn’t have to be a big decision, it just seems irritating to have to think about it and make a decision.  Sounds silly but its what we’ve experienced here on Day 13.  All of this struggle thought, enhances the spiritual dimension.  It is at these times of challenge that the awareness of the human frailty and the need for a strength that comes from beyond your own resources kicks in.  The simple dependency on God and His strength and resources is refreshing, planting an entirely different perspective on the entire process of fasting.  Until Day 14…be blessed!