Fasting Failed

[Christ4Life1]

Hey Brothers and Sisters,

I was really convicted to go on a 60 day fast. (Not on food but on worldly things like secular music, youtube, games, movies, television, and facebook). Unfortunately i failed on my 13th day. I feel as though i underestimated fasting, this being my first fasting attempt. I feel extremely sorry to Christ and having in mind how he suffered and i cant go 60 days without playing games really makes me weep. Should i restart? To be honest i feel this fast was too quick of a decision. I was so filled with the holy spirit the time i made my decision that i didnt pray about it much, and made my decision in a split second without talking it over with the lord. I remember my pastor telling me that god wants all or nothing so if i was to make this fast easier.. i feel im not giving my 100% to christ. Please help forum! Feel free to comment below ~

 

[Ryan Collins]

Hey Brothers and Sisters,

I was really convicted to go on a 60 day fast. (Not on food but on worldly things like secular music, youtube, games, movies, television, and facebook). Unfortunately i failed on my 13th day. I feel as though i underestimated fasting, this being my first fasting attempt. I feel extremely sorry to Christ and having in mind how he suffered and i cant go 60 days without playing games really makes me weep. Should i restart? To be honest i feel this fast was too quick of a decision. I was so filled with the holy spirit the time i made my decision that i didnt pray about it much, and made my decision in a split second without talking it over with the lord. I remember my pastor telling me that god wants all or nothing so if i was to make this fast easier.. i feel im not giving my 100% to christ. Please help forum! Feel free to comment below ~

A 60 day fast is quite the task for your first time fasting. One of the best books I have ever read on Spiritual Disciplines is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I highly suggest you get that book and read it, re-read it, and re-read it again.

In the portion of fasting, he suggests only fasting when God leads you to. Fasting is not normal for humans and that is only natural. I suggest fasting for a small period of time. A two-month fast from things you are used to indulging in, in my opinion, is nearly impossible. Start small. Start for a day fast or 3-day fast. The idea of fasting is to sacrifice something that takes a portion of your day and prayerfully meditating and focusing on God and His Word. In other words, fasting is the voluntarily absence of normality and replacing those things with intense spiritual activity (praying, meditating, reading, solitude, worship, etc.).

Do no feel guilty. For your first fast, you aimed high. Pray about your fast and make sure it is something God wants you to do. If so, try a 1-day or 3-day fast starting at a lunch time and ending at a lunch. This way you are sleeping through your fast as well. You will find it easier to accomplish, but never forget the main point of fasting: indulging yourself in spiritual activity.

As for your Pastor, God does want all or nothing. But it is different than from a 60-day fast. There is no guilt in starting small and giving your all in a 1-day or 3-day fast. All or nothing does not equate to a long fast or nothing. Start small and reap the benefits. Do not set a goal that unrealistic.

 

[recoveringfaith]

Going almost 2 weeks without those distractions is pretty awesome (this is coming from someone who logs into Facebook every day!) I agree with the above post. Maybe aim for a shorter period of time.

Your heart is totally in the right place. I would suggest starting over, and perhaps for a shorter time.

 

[Christ4Life1]

thanks guys i started my fast 2 days ago and taking into consideration about how high my expectations were.... this fast should go alot smoother =D

 

[justhamp]

check out the webstite :Understand Fasting for encouragement!!
Hang in there brother!! God hears your prayers

 

[Gottservant]

You have to fast in a way that is equal to your expectation of being Encouraged, by the Righteousness of Christ. Otherwise, you will think the encouragement is gone, even though the RIGHTEOUSNESS is still THERE.

EDIT: Also, try a "memory fast" where you only change from a particular course of action (eg. different meals, different games, different shows) when you are sure you are not remembering something you actually need to, in the Lord's eyes

 

[justhamp]

don't sweat it that much sir. the guilt is natural because you feel as though you not only disappointed yourself but God as well. First of all, understand that fasting scriputally always has to do with food, but that's another story. Your attempt to discipline yourself in that way was a lofty one. Not that you can't do it, but habits are tough to break cold turkey like that.
Forgive yourself. I suggest that you give up some sort of food at the same time. believe it or not it will actually make the personal discipline easier because the taming of your stomach is the toughest of all disciplines, and in doing so the other things will seem much less gripping. Give it a shot again and at the same time go without some food that you really like. Blessings