Word of the Week is "Restraint" (Post #32)

"Many have asked me, “Kevin, what’s the purpose of fasting?”  Or, “exactly why are you fasting?”  Or (my favorite), “what are we supposed to get out of it?”  

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So, the Wednesday Word for this Week is RESTRAINT!

Proverbs 25:28, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”(ESV)

So, as of this writing I am on Day #4 of a 40 day Daniel Fast.  By the time this is published, I would have long been complete.  I am in the midst of this fast for a number of reasons.  Health, discipline, spiritual growth, greater faith, and weight loss.  This isn’t my first time doing this; however, I can’t say that it gets any easier. 

Many have asked me, “Kevin, what’s the purpose of fasting?”  Or, “exactly why are you fasting?”  Or (my favorite), “what are we supposed to get out of it?”  Well, I think the blessings are innumerable.  However, if I could name one thing, I’d say this.

This morning, I walked into my house after dropping my kids off to school.  After entry, I looked up, there it was.  A lemon iced, perfectly moist and fluffy, pound cake.  It was on the counter top inside of a glass case, I can almost assure you that it said hello to me. 

I can’t lie.  Every portion of my being wanted to eat a piece of this cake.  It looked absolutely wonderful.  However, in a moment of better wisdom and wiser thinking, I recalled my fast, I walked away and maintained my integrity.  As I walked into my office to begin some work, it dawned on me.  I mean, it literally dawned on me to the point that now I could see fasting with the clearest of vision. 

“Fasting proves to us that our cravings aren’t in control of us.” 

Drug abuse, alcoholism, pornography, teenage pregnancy, obesity, infidelity, and even gossip:  all of these can grapple with our desires and they all have the potential to become overwhelming realities in our lives, if we give our cravings full control. 

Imperfection demands that we all have things pulling at us; things that don’t mean us any good, even though they taste, feel, look, or sound good.  However, fasting reminds me that those things don’t have to HAVE my ear; they’re not automatically allowed to take control.  I’ve learned (amidst fasting) that with prayer, faith, and determination you can say no AND mean it. 

The lessons I learn from fasting are many; however, the greatest comes when I learn that in Christ, I can conquer my cravings. 

Lord, thank You for giving me the strength to stand in my struggle.

Your thoughts?  Convicted?  Upset?  Agree?  Disagree?  Let me know below.  Peace and love family.

K. Jones, Sr.
​@imperfection360
@kevindjonessr