Fasting, Day 5

Today, my mental anguish over fasting was not so much an issue. However, my exhaustion continued.

The first time I fasted for a couple of days, the first three days were very difficult because I didn’t prepare my body by cutting back days before the fast began. But following those three days, things got easier. This time, the first 3 days have been easier than the following days, even though the hunger pains subsided once again after three days. The difference is that the first three days’ hunger pains were not nearly as hard to manage this go around, because of my preparation.

However, instead of the following days being easier, they became more difficult. My exhaustion level continued to increase, and showed no sign of letting up. Part of my fast these 40 days is to cut out TV during the evenings so that I can be productive (such as writing, etc.). However my exhaustion level has been such that that’s the last thing I want to think about!

After evaluating everything, I feel that my water fast is actually diminishing my ability to seek God and accomplish what I set out to do during this fast. In addition, I was being no help to Audra or the family. I also was concerned that my exhaustion level was not going to decrease anytime soon, and that the longer I continue my water fast, perhaps the more time I would waste.

So after evaluating, consulting, praying, thinking, and rethinking, I decided today to start ending my water fast this evening. I’m sure Audra is relieved. 🙂

However, I plan to continue fasting for the remainder of the 40 days, but not a water fast. I’m still thinking about what that will look like. In the end, I want to be able to seek God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength during these days, and that wasn’t happening.

So I made some homemade vegetable broth from odds and ends vegetables we had in the house. It actually didn’t turn out too bad–except that I overdid the pepper. I had half a bowl of the broth, and I ate two of the carrots that I used for the broth. I figured they were super soft and cooked, so they wouldn’t be too hard to digest. What bliss! 🙂 Almost immediately, much of my strength returned! I now feel like I can take Audra’s bowl to the sink when she asks and not feel put-out! However, my stomach feels weird. My body must be adjusting to food again, and I know I need to stick with broths, fruits, veggies, and juices for the next bit.

I’m looking forward to the rest of the 40 days of prayer and fasting, and I will keep blogging about my experiences. I’m believing that these 40 days will be special–not just for me, but for our church.