Fasting

January 26, 2014

The Quit Option


But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. —Hebrews 10:39

One thing that I tell people who are in the midst of severe trials is—never ever allow yourself to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.

Have you felt like giving up and just throwing in the towel? Maybe you have grown tired of all the battles and struggles. You thought living for Jesus would mean life would be rosy and rainbows, but the continued disappointments have caused your hope to fade. I understand that. What is more important is the fact that Jesus understands it, too.

Don’t forget that He was tempted to take short cuts and quit when He was fasting in the desert for 40 days. In the garden praying, Jesus could have just said, “It’s too much, Father. I know it’s Your will, but it’s just too much.” At His arrest, Jesus said He could have called upon 12 legions of angels to defend Him. Yet, He pressed on. He did not quit.

The number one thing the enemy would like to get us to do, is quit. It may be quitting your marriage, quitting your dream or even quitting your walk with the Lord. You could decide to quit fighting your flesh, your battle with an addiction or some other sin and just give in to temptation instead.

When you think about quitting, then you begin to talk about quitting. When you talk about quitting, be assured that eventually, you will quit. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to quit! You can find a place of strengthening in the Lord, just like Elijah and all of the other men and women that God has used for His glory.

That is why I believe so strongly in the power of fasting as a regular discipline in every believer’s life. Fasting gives you the opportunity to come away from the bombardment of life’s difficulties and disappointments in order to hear more clearly from the Lord. When you fast, it is much easier for you to get God’s perspective on your circumstances and find His path through the storm. He wants to strengthen your mind, your heart and your spirit.

The Bible instructs us to set our minds on things above for a reason. What you think about is what you will talk about. When you talk faith, you empower faith. When you talk doubt, you empower doubt. When you set your mind on things above, you set your mind on Christ, and His example. And Jesus never quit. When you truly set your mind on a goal, quitting is no longer an option.

The Fasting Edge

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