I have been starting off the year with a 40 day Sugar fast for 4 years now. Each year I develop more self control around eating sugar, but this year was the most powerful! This was the year I had Wendy Speakes' 40 Day Sugar Fast book! https://amzn.to/2Sr9euD day we have a chapter to read full of scripture and Wendy's heart for women to break free of their various coping methods! This book has helped organize my thoughts and experience through the 40 days. We also have a Facebook group that is full of encouragement and Facebook lives from Wendy and other friends.This year, I focused on my explosive anger. It’s the part of me I try my best to not come out, but parents, I think you know what I mean when I say some days are just harder then others to keep ourselves regulated.
I have a better handle on it, but I still struggle with criticism and fits of anger. It’s the thorn in my side Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 12: "I have been given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Did you catch that?
In my last blog post I introduced the concept of being Laced with Grace. It does not matter what you did, what’s been done to you, what you haven’t done; God’s Grace covers you just like wings or a blanket. When He looks at you and Satan taunts Him that you are not to be forgiven, he simply smiles and says, “That one is mine!” I love the picture of God accepting me, despite my angry reactions. He does the same for you. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Nothing at all can separate us from the love of God. Once you’re chosen, that’s it. Once you accept Him, He will never let you go! It’s our choice. He will do whatever he needs to do and extend every bit of Grace possible, and in the end it still comes down to a choice. He’s done the covering, He’s done the work, you get to choose.
How have I changed during this sugar fast? I had a lot more self control over my desire for sugar. Of course, it hasn’t been about sugar for me. I realized that no matter what my response to anxiety, anger an stress was, I was covered. God wasn’t disappointed with me. He was simply and gently leading me to healthier responses.
Like I’ve said previously, my parenting shifted, what I learned is becoming effective for my family. I am training to be a Certified Parent Coach! I wish to lead other families to heal and grow also. The other night I cried myself to sleep. I so deeply feel the bondage Satan has over families and I can’t stand idle anymore. God is calling me and I am joyfully answering the call!!
It's going to be hard. I may run into opposition and, when I think about my life, I have never had it “easy.” I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can touch others with my story and offer hope to those in the thick of the parenting journey where parents need the most love and guidance! I’m so excited to begin this journey!
He has also called me to write more, and revamp my Inspirational Devotions page to Inspirational Devotions/Laced with Grace. The central message I want to deliver is we are ALL covered under His Grace! Hear me dear reader, you can "not believe" all you want, you can be mad at Him, you can even doubt He exists, and yet YOU are STILL covered in Grace! Grace is for everyone! I’ve been encouraged and inspired through this journey and now is the time to share it!
I believe God gave me the story He did so I could make a difference. I am a living, breathing testimony to God's amazing Grace! I want to hear from you! I am asking you to share your story about your transformation! If you want to encourage others and feel comfortable, please send me an email or message me through Facebook. I encourage you to check out my Facebook page Inspirational Devotions/Laced With Grace! I'm also on Instagram @lacedwithgrace3.
This fast has been like no other! It’s taught me many things, mainly how to give myself grace when I fail to represent Him well to my people. I am human, after all, and so are you! God does not want you perfect, He wants you to come as you are, and yet he loves you too much for you to stay there! When you give God a fraction of your time, His ears are attentive to hear your prayers!
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer 1 Peter 3:12 (NIV). I think that is so cool! Starting my mornings with Jesus has been so sweet! Some days, I would have to read later in the day and I still made sure to get my “sugar fast time.” This fast has definitely been the most influential one. How about you?
Have you ever done a fast? What did you fast from? How long was it? I’m curious to hear!
May you feel the love and Grace of the Lord always!
I love you with all my heart!
Tina Martina Putney
You can find me at:
Inspirational Devotions/Laced with Grace - Facebook
Come to the Lighthouse- Facebook
@lacedwithgrace3- Instagram
40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation by Wendy Speake
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