Sugar Fast Day 37
Everyone around me these days is hurting. My friends, family members and people at work are in pain. I have a confession to make. Before starting this fast I don’t think I was as aware of those who are hurting as I am now. It’s not that I was blind to hurting people. I saw them, but I was pretty good at guarding my own heart from feeling much, if any, of their pain. But somewhere along this sugar-free journey I surrendered not only my sugar intake, but my life ( and my heart) to God as well. I am now more aware of loving others.
One of my favorite scriptures to pray is a Ezekiel 11:19.
And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, (Ezekiel 11:19)
I pray for God to turn the stony hearts of my family to hearts of flesh who want to know and love God. But God is now using my prayer on my heart; He is giving me a heart of flesh.
Loving Others
I know the world is filled with hurting people. Jesus said in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33) and praise God that He has also overcome this world, but what about the pain we experience today? How can I come alongside those people in my life who are in pain? One thing I can do is pray. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thes. 5:16-18). I can bear their burdens (Gal. 6:2). I can weep with them when they weep (Rom. 12:15). I can stop guarding my own heart against the pain, grab hold of their hands and walk the journey with them.