January Fast 2020

This is my first year taking part of the fast with Equippers Essex. When the fast was first brought up, my head was filled with questions: Should I do the fast? What could I fast? How will I manage to stay on track for 21 days?

After talking to others who had taken part in last years fast, I decided to fast:

- Added sugar

- Chocolate, cake, biscuits and crisps

- Facebook

I chose to fast these as they are things which were prominent in my life, things which I would have to work at to achieve a 21 day fast of.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as I have never fasted before. It was challenging at times but the rewards were completely worth it. The fast started on the 8th of January and lasted until the 29th January.

The first thing I did when I woke up on the 8th January was delete the Facebook app off of my phone. It felt like I was free once it was gone, it was more satisfying and uplifting than I could have ever imagined. Giving up Facebook was easier than I could have thought, I didn’t miss it at all over the three weeks. This surprised me as well as showing me how much time I would waste just scrolling through my feed aimlessly and not gaining anything from it.

When it came to my free time at work or at home in the evening, I spent it starting to commit myself to learning and developing my self spiritually through reading the bible.

On Wednesdays I go to a connect group which is where a small group come together in the week to continue to learn god teachings. The first day of the fast was on a Wednesday, which was so great as we talked about fasting. It really helped cement why I was fasting and that I had support all around me on this experience. We talked about what we had each decided upon to fast and what we hoped to get out of the fast. This group is one of the amazing parts of church life which has helped me through my journey over the last year.

As well as fasting Facebook I chose to fast added sugar - so sugar in my tea and coffee - I also chose to give up chocolate, cake, biscuits and crisps. This part of my fast I did find difficult. I found it most challenging in the first week as, all I wanted was to eat all the time a lot more than normal. I was actually having to think about what to eat and what was in the food I chose. Until you stop yourself form eating something you don't realise how often you actually eat it. I found I was really tired during the first week, as my body was starting to have to rework where my energy was coming from since I had cut almost all sugar other than natural sugar from my diet.

Over the next two weeks I found it a lot easier, I had more energy and felt better physically. There were moments where I really wanted to eat something really sweet, but I had grown spiritually throughout this time as well and my motivation to keep going with my fast never wavered. When I made those choices to keep going and not give in I felt amazing, I found I was carrying Christ and his teachings with me in a more predominate place than before.

Taking part in the January fast has challenged and pushed me to really look at myself and how I have chosen to live my life. It has also given me time to look at where I want my life to go, as well as go deeper into my journey with faith. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and really look at our lives. Time flies by in the blink of an eye, before you know it days, weeks, months have past and have you achieved all you hoped for? Taking part in the fast has really helped me set out a plan of what I would like to achieve over this year in all areas of my life.

Thanks for reading! Please like and share.

Billie x

#faith #journey #fast #church #equppersessex #equippers