Fasting Stories: Stephanie Hodges
Interested in sharing your fasting story? Read this post for more info. As a kickoff to the Fasting Stories series, check out this story from Stephanie, author of Daniel Fast Journey.
Why do you think fasting is important?
The Lord has called us to love Him with every part of our being, and to be wholly healthy and holy. We are a spirit, with a soul, living in a body and in order to truly flourish, all these parts need to be healthy.
While we sometimes segment our body, soul, and spirit care and treat them separately, fasting is a spiritual discipline that touches all areas.
Fasting is also an opportunity to shut out the noise and distraction of the world in order to lean into God and hear His voice more clearly. There is true freedom in living a Spirit-led life! When we fast, we depend on filling ourselves with spiritual food, press into the Lord, and focus on eternity.
What does your personal fasting practice look like? (How frequently do you fast, how long do your fasts last, what types of fasts do you do?)
For the past several years, I have fasted at the beginning of the year and in August to reset and ask God for direction and priorities. When I fast for longer periods of time (10 days or more) I do a Daniel Fast.
I also fast throughout the year when I feel God is leading me to do so. I often fast when I have a specific prayer request, experience spiritual warfare, or need insight and direction. These fasts vary but are often 1-3 days and liquid only or juice and smoothies.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to fasting?
Finding the time to fast with my family’s plans and schedule. With three kids, we have a lot going on all the time.
Along with this, I would love to have times of fasting where I could step completely away from the daily grind to spend time in solitude, prayer, reading the Word, and fully focused on God completely undistracted. But in this stage of life, there are usually other responsibilities related to family or work that must be taken care of, so I do the best I can given the circumstances.
Can you recall a time God gave you a breakthrough, revelation, or taught you something through fasting?
When our boys were young, my husband was in a job that was challenging for multiple reasons, and something needed to shift. In September, we prayed and fasted for some direction on what to do. We ended the fast unsure what was next, but with a sense of peace. Then, two weeks later someone reached out to my husband with a job offer and he was able to make a transition into work that was better for him and our family.
More recently, I had extreme anxiety about a personal relationship and I wanted God to just move people away and GET ME OUT OF IT! Through fasting, the physical circumstances didn’t change, but God gave me a supernatural peace.
Sometimes He speaks to the storm to be still, and sometimes He walks with you through the storm! We can’t always circumvent the uncomfortable, but with His grace we can move forward with confident hope.
What is your best advice for someone who is new to fasting?
Start small and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your fast. The goal is not primarily physical (although your physical body can receive great benefits from fasting) but it’s about building up your spirit and drawing closer to the Lord.
So be sure you start with a spiritual focus and make the main thing prayer, reading the Word, and seeking God with all your heart.
Do you have a favorite recipe(s) or meal(s) for the Daniel Fast?
Corn Chowder and Cashew Chickpea Curry are my favorite recipes from the Daniel Fast Journey!
Where You Can Find Stephanie
