Fasting for Clarity and Direction in Transition
One of the great benefits of fasting is pressing in to hear God's voice. A word from God gives us encouragement, alignment and direction, and we need this spiritual sustenance – especially when we sense something new is on the horizon.
Are you in a season of transition or change?
Whenever you feel God stirring something within you, or you feel like something new is coming but you aren't sure what it is, do you consider fasting for clarity and direction for your transition?
Let me quickly tell you about the exact same conversation I've had with three different ladies (who don't know each other at all) over the past two weeks. Each of these ladies told me the same thing:
God has been stirring up something inside of me.
I feel like I'm supposed to do something different than what I have been doing (their careers of 15-20 years).
I just don't know what I'm supposed to do next yet!
The funny thing is, I had the exact same thoughts and feelings at the end of 2020, which led me to leave my full-time job in February 2021 and embark on a journey into the unknown.
I knew and still know God is calling me out of my comfort zone, but I don't know exactly where I'm going or how I will get there . . . yet!
God’s call is always to walk by faith, not by sight, but sometimes we need clarity for the next small step of faith. We need to know whether it’s time to step forward with courage, or to wait patiently with peace for the right timing.
We have important questions like:
Is now the right time go make a move?
What is the next small step I could take?
Who do I discuss this decision with?
How do I make the transition strategically?
What do I need to prepare before I transition?
As we fast, God can bring us clarity for what to do next in a season of transition.
How Do We Hear God?
God can give us insight into all these questions, but we have to get still and listen. In our day-to-day, we take care of things (mostly) by ourselves, relying on our own insight, intuition, and skills. When we fast, we separate from the world’s ways and our personal preferences to focus on what God has to say.
In any time of major transition, it’s wise to take time to fast and pray for clarity.
As we fast and pray, God may or may not speak to us in an audible voice or undeniable impression in our spirits. But as we fast, we are more observant and in tune for ways God may be confirming things for us through:
His Word
Messages from pastors and teachers
Conversations with friends or even random strangers
Books, movies, or resources
His peace
We know that when He speaks, it will align with the principles of scripture. When you’re fasting, make plenty of time to be in presence in worship, prayer, reading the Word, and being still to listen.
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Whose Voice Are You Hearing?
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive unto Christ.
As we examine our thoughts we can dig in and ask ourselves, “Where is this coming from and why do I feel this way?”
Ask those same questions again and again until you get to the end of the “why train” to uncover the root influencing your thoughts and emotions.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit into this process, He is our counselor and teacher. With this examination, you can more clearly see:
1. Is this coming from me, driven by my past or personality?
2. Is this coming from the world, am I pressured by the expectations of others or society in general?
3. Is this coming from the enemy, is it motivated by fear, shame, or other influences that are not of God?
4. Is this from the Lord, does it align with Spirit and Truth?
Finally, some of the good advice I’ve heard is: if you don’t have clarity from God on what to do next, then keep doing the last thing He told you to do!
My Fast for Clarity
Back to my story of transition and leaving my job. . . fasting is a key part of this story!
Although I felt I had clear signs and confirmations that my time to transition was coming, I was not sure when exactly I was supposed to leave. I thought it might be after Easter or late spring. But as I fasted and prayed in January, I was so close to God that I knew with certainty: the time is now.
Over six months later, I have no doubt that I followed God’s leading and although I can’t see everything yet, I have confidence He will continue to guide me every step.
I pray for you, wherever you are, that you will know that God wants to lead you beside still waters, as it says in Psalm 23. He doesn’t want you to be anxious about your decisions, but to quietly trust in Him for direction and timing. As you press into Him, He will give you the answers you seek!
Read more about starting a 10-Day Daniel Fast HERE.
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