Every Fast is a Bit Different, but....

Fasting is the greatest remedy--the physician within. ~Philippus Paracelsus, one of the three fathers of Western medicine

Some fasts start out better than others; this one was not one of those. I fact it has been the roughest first five days of a fast that I think I ever have had. I have been terribly weaker than normal. Right after I finished my shower on Sunday, I felt very queasy and could not even dry off as I was about to pass out. I lay on the bed and got my bearings back only to have them wane away with every effort to stand up. I know what some people will say reading this: "See! Fasting is not good for you." I have been fasting for over twenty years and I never had this problem before...not ever. I have experienced and strongly believe that fasting is a natural healing remedy for all sorts of health issues.

That is not to say that I have never been a bit lightheaded when going up steps or standing up quickly or generally weaker, but this problem was not like that at all. My husband brought me about four ounces of milk and within fifteen minutes I was fine again. I went to church without a problem...except that my right shoulder was very painful with certain movements and I did not even injure it, so I am not sure what that is all about. Perhaps an intense healing of something I have not recognized as a problem? It has happened before. I notice the difference later and think something like I guess that was bothering more than I thought.

On the second night of this fast I began having insomnia, which is common for me usually when I have fasted for more than a week. I planned to have only tea, raw milk, and water for this fast, but I really needed to get my strength back up to make it through the week, so last night I had a bit more milk and took a few supplements: flax seed oil and fish oil hoping the Omega 3, a natural anti-inflammatory, would give me back the use of my arm; Vitamin D3 for better calcium absorption; and a Magnesium and Potassium mixture for the nighttime leg cramps that I also usually do not get this early in a fast.

I woke up only once last night, which is quite normal for me even when I am not fasting, and went right back to sleep until morning. This morning I awoke up feeling great! So much more energy and that shoulder is just a bit sore. Good thing too, because I found out just this morning that my husband will be gone all week, so I have extra chores at home, besides the horse barn tomorrow.

My husband was going to fast with me, but changed his mind and asked when I would end mine as he would like to continue my fast. This is something different. I am wondering how it will go as I was planning to fast at least a week to ten days, depending on the weight loss which is one purpose of my regular January fast. As to the spiritual part, I had some things to discuss with my Lord. Actually, I always do, so no fast goes without the spiritual aspect.

~ My Lord, thank you for Your answers to my prayers even before I know Your answers. ~