{"id":9793,"date":"2024-02-16T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=9793"},"modified":"2024-02-02T09:21:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T14:21:27","slug":"9793","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2024\/02\/16\/9793\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret Fasting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“That your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 6:18<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Secret fasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a fast, keep it secret. Don’t go around bragging.\u00a0 The Pharisees, religious leaders, proudly shared their holiness, wanting human recognition. When they fasted, everyone knew it. Fasting for God privately receives a heavenly reward not seen by man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, I did a ten-day fast because of a relational issue.\u00a0 At my wit’s end, I turned to fasting and prayer to help me find victory.\u00a0\u00a0 What happened during the ten days didn’t change others but transformed me.\u00a0 The Lord humbled me and showed me areas I could work on to improve the situation.\u00a0 About halfway through the fast, I felt a breakthrough in my Spirit. “Great, I can stop fasting now,” I thought.\u00a0 Immediately, the Holy Spirit responded, “Do you want a partial victory or a full victory?” I knew at that moment I needed to complete the fast to obtain a total transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over a decade later, God’s work in my life during those ten days still stands strong. Finishing the fast and allowing the Lord to transform me from the inside out softened my heart, changed my attitude, and improved my life. All done in secret, no one else knew at the time what I did.\u00a0 But the Lord knew, and He honored my efforts and helped me become more like Christ, a journey that continues today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to explain the benefits of fasting doesn’t compare to doing it.\u00a0 Discovering a deeper intimacy with God only happens when we put into practice His teachings.\u00a0 Expecting us to fast, Jesus teaches us how to receive the most benefits from depriving ourselves of worldly temptations and focusing on things of the spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“<\/em>For\u00a0he who is in you is greater than\u00a0he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience God’s greatness by fasting in secret.\u00a0 Draw closer to your Maker as you replace things of this world with time with Him.\u00a0 Transform your life and become more like Christ through fasting and prayer. \u00a0Developing a regular practice of fasting will help you discern God’s will for your life and discover life to the fullest, fulfilling Jesus’s desire for you.\u00a0 One hour at a time, one day at a time, one fast at a time, discover new life in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n