Spring is finally here! Where I live, the weather is getting warmer, and flowers are starting to bloom. Spring is one of my favorite seasons because it means new beginnings and new life.
But not all seasons are so pleasant. Sometimes we find ourselves in an extended time of sadness or pain, somewhat like a spiritual winter.
I know because it has happened to me. Recently.
Last year was tough. January 2015 started out great with the annual online Daniel Fast and the release of my second book, Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul. But then I encountered scary health issues in February. At the same time, family problems arose. By March, I was spent. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And I got stuck.
Fear set in. I felt anxious throughout the day. At night, my body was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept going a hundred miles an hour, thinking about all the what ifs. I was scared because I stopped trusting God.
Have you ever been in a similar situation? Are you there now? If so, let God pull you out of that pit of despair and unbelief. Don’t even try to climb out yourself. You’ll never make it. Oh, you might gain some ground, but you’ll slowly slip back down into the mud and mire. Instead, reach out for the Lord, and let Him grab your hand. Let His strength replace your weakness. Let His power remove your pain.
Yes, the past year has been challenging for me. But the Lord has used (and is using) the experiences to strengthen my spiritual muscles. I believe that the past winter season is about to usher in a glorious spring in my life. As my wise mentor, Ginni, told me, “This is not a bad season. This is a season of becoming fit for God’s power.”
I encourage you to adopt the same perspective.
If you’re experiencing a difficult time right now, put your trust in the Lord no matter what your circumstances. Stand on the truth of His Word despite your feelings. Remember, this promise:
“And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Rom. 8:28 TLB).
A hard season is actually a good season. The Lord is with you, and He will bring you to a greater, deeper, stronger place because of it.
Your winter is coming to an end. Spring is just around the corner.
Hi Kristen, I’ve been praying for a miracle in my marriage , I’ve lost 20 pounds from depression when my mother passed 2 days before my 35 birthday then I found out that my husband has been having an affair, I need prayer I have been going to church , joined small groups, and things have gotten bad for me I know that God loves me and will restore marriages my marriage , my husband is save but he’s not changing in my eyes I’m a hundred and twenty five pounds I don’t want to lose weight but I know that if I can just fast I will get the break through I need from God I’m praying for a miracle .P. S will you be praying for us too
When you’re going through a difficult season, you will certainly benefit from a focused time of prayer. Perhaps the Daniel Fast is just what you need right now to draw spiritual, physical, and emotional strength from the Lord. He will help you and work powerfully in your life as you submit to Him. I pray you will experience a new depth in your relationship with the Lord — that you will sense His nearness and rest in His love for you. May God also work a miracle in your marriage and bring your husband back to Him.
Hi Feola,i just wanted to know if sweet potatoes are allowed on the Daniel fast
Can u fry using the extra virgin oil?
All vegetables are allowed, including sweet potatoes. You may sauté foods in oil, but no deep frying. Thanks for your questions!
Kristen, I’m so thankful I was led to your site today. I so very much needed it. I’ve been a christian for many yrs, pastored a church and enjoyed the presence of the Lord beyond belief. Last Dec my husband passed on to be with the Lord. Its been a hard time, not feeling the presence of the Lord and feeling alone. I’ve been on a Daniels fast this week and pushing in to seek the Lord. Thank you so much for being ‘real’ to help others. God bless you!
Marsha, I’m so thankful the Lord led you to my website, too! He knew exactly what you needed. 🙂 May the Lord continue to give you strength as you seek Him. I pray that on this Daniel Fast you will sense God’s nearness and hear His voice more clearly. He loves you so much!
Dear Kristen,
Thank you for sharing what God has led you to with the Daniel Fast both through book and
this helpful website! I bless you for your servant-heart! God began to plant a desire to do a Daniel fast a few months ago, while listening to someone encourage it on Sid Roth’s show. However, things were much to chaotic then to consider it then. This morning God reminded me of that in my quiet time so I went to the internet so see what help I could find and was delight to begin reading from your site! Our family is certainly in need of some powerful breakthroughs currently! I’m hoping that my husband a godly man will join me and united we can then encourage our three sons who are with us to do it as a family! Im willing to do it alone but I believe God’s best would be to do it as a family!
Hungry most of all for God and His Glory! Gratefully. Gayle
Hi, Gayle! Thank you so much for your encouragement and for sharing how the Lord has been leading you. His timing is perfect. 🙂 I pray that your family will join you in doing the Daniel Fast. It will be a powerful time as you all seek the Lord together. May the Lord pour out His favor on you as you hunger and thirst for Him!
Wow! As always God has not only met me right where I am, but pulled me out of the line of fire of the darts of the enemy, and confirmed that even though I feel I’ve let Him down, where ever I make my bed, THERE He will be!!! I’ve been in a hard frozen blizzard and wrestling with doing this fast. Thank you for your honest and encouraging post. How quickly the enemy sneaks in with fear and emotion, distracting us from the TRUTH! When we are weak, HE is made STRONG!!! I have a new hope about this fast now, thank you for your obedience! I also feel led to point out for whoever it’s for, the Psalmist David made a point to say “He MAKES me to lie down in green pastures, beside still waters” When He wants our attention, so that we may return to rest in His peace, He doesn’t stop at still small whispers, when we don’t heed His loving guidance, He MAKES us to lie down, be still, and hear his peaceful voice, like many waters. I pray that does not fall on deaf ears, and look forward to what this fast brings to my walk with our precious Healer, Way Maker, Peace provider, SHALOM, JESUS. HIS ANSWER IS ALWAYS YEA AND AMEN!!!
Thank you so much for your comments! May the Lord continue to strengthen you in every way on this fast. I pray He overwhelms you with His favor and peace!
Your website is exactly what I needed to see, thank you. I am currently going through that hard spiritual winter & God is guiding me through it and granting me His grace to endure these tough times & set-backs. I’ve been wrestling with the command to do a Daniel fast and now I know it’s time. This April marks a lot of things for me, 10th birthday of my son who passed away of SIDs, 3month sober thank you Lord and 3-months moving back home and going through some extremely difficult situations. But through this trial, my faith & love for Abba has flourished, I’m amazed and am so ready to have a deeper relationship with the Father. Thank you for this information, it’s a blessing!
Marie, I’m so thankful the Lord led you to my website. He is so good to help us when we need direction. I pray you will experience God’s peace and comfort this April as you seek Him. May the Lord pour out His favor on your life because of your obedience!
What a beautiful post. I’m so glad I stopped by.
Thank you!