So, as a member of the praise team at church I am fasting for the month of February. I really struggled with what to fast...and I chose to fast sodas (in my world also known as Coke). I have been a Coca-Cola addict for a very long time. I drink so much soda that the stimulant effects of it have no effect on me...I can drink a can of Coke right before bed and be able to drift right off to sleep, no problem.
I said above that I struggled with what to choose. Fasting from Coca-Cola (or any soda) just didn't seem like enough. Sure it would be hard, but this is for God, it needs to be something big!!!
A few days into it I had been able to resist the temptation to run to the vending machine, or grab a can from my "emergency stash." Then the headaches kicked in hard (I forgot to take the Advil that morning to ward it off). As I left the office to run an errand I actually grabbed a can of Coke and brought it downstairs with me. I got in my car and started driving. I had a glass of ice with me to pour it in, but I couldn't open the can...not that I physically couldn't, but something was stopping me from even picking it up. I began to pray, "God, my head is killing me, and I know it's because I stopped drinking sodas. Please take this headache away, I know it's just the Devil attacking me trying to get me to give in on my promise to you. Right now I claim your comfort and relief from this pain. God, give me the strength to withstand this attack and to keep my promise to you."
And then I had to pull over on the side of the road.
That was it!!! I get it!!! It really didn't matter what I chose to fast. Whether it was something big or small. The point was that I made a promise to God to do something for Him, and to spend time with Him. I chose to give up something that I love......for my God. God just wants me to come to Him to get the strength to do (or not do) whatever it is that I chose (big or small). He just wants me to come to Him for His strength to resist when Satan decides to attack. He just wants me to spend time with Him.
And let's face it, Satan will not attack you if you are not on the right path. If you are on the wrong path why should he bother... It's when you find your way, and find the path that leads to a closer and deeper relationship with God that Satan stands up and takes notice, and decides it's time to do something about it.
Well I say, "get thee behind me, Satan," and I say, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to leave me alone", and I say "My God is able to carry me through this time of suffering." And I'll come out the other side stronger, and more in touch with my God and His will for me...because I chose to give up sodas for a month.
You see, fasting sodas may have seemed like a little thing to me at first, but now I know, my small sacrifice is big in my God's eyes because I'm doing it for the right reasons and I'm doing it for Him!
