Day 2 of 7-Day Fast

I’m almost 48 hours into the fast, and I am definitely feeling it.

Physically, my symptoms are not too alarming. I’m definitely weaker and easily winded. My hands and feet feel cold at times, but that’s not too surprising for me because when I drink a lot of liquids, I get cold hands and feet. I have a slight dull headache. More noticeable is when I talk, I am slower to come up with words that I need. But, I’m also pleasantly surprised that I can focus on computer work and am able to be quite productive.

From what I’ve researched, I’m far enough into my fast that my body should be going through autophagy now (have any of you seen Limitless with Chris Hemsworth? The episode on fasting is fascinating and beautifully illustrates what autophagy looks like in the body). My cells are beginning to optimize and “take out the trash” of zombie cells, viruses, etc. that could be harming my body. Also, when a fast passes the 24-hour mark, my gut resets and produces stem cells that go through my body and fix anything that’s not functioning properly. And, my favorite, at 36 hours, I went into fat-burning mode—starting with belly fat! Also, at 48 hours I’ll get a dopamine reset. I’m really looking forward to that.

Spiritually, I can’t say I’ve had any big revelations, but I have noticed a difference in my prayer time. As I’m praying (out loud), I find myself adding in prayers for the person I’m praying for. It’s like prophetic praying—I know the words to pray even though the person I’m praying for didn’t explain those things to me. Also, as I was reading my Bible this morning, verses were leaping off the page more than usual. I thought this one was apropos for today, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” Romans 13:14.

So much of fasting is about sacrificing the flesh (that compulsion and desire in your body to do wrong) so that your spirit can be elevated. God is a spirit, so our spirits are what connect with Him. The more we sacrifice our flesh by not feeding it and keeping it in a complacent comfortable state, the more we’re able to tune in to our spirit and the way God is directing us.

One of the things I’ve loved learning about fasting is that what’s happening on a cellular level in our bodies (e.g., autophagy—taking out the trash at a cellular level) is what’s happening in our spirits as well! How cool is that?

“God, burn up and remove any impurities from me. I want to be set apart only for you.”