Comments on: Unfashionable fasting http://stbernadettewhitchurch.org/552/unfasionable-fasting Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:45:34 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mrs.Pogle http://stbernadettewhitchurch.org/552/unfasionable-fasting/comment-page-1#comment-107 Mrs.Pogle Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:43:57 +0000 http://stbernadettewhitchurch.org/?p=552#comment-107 Thanks for this! It is really relevant to me this week, as I have just had a nasty stomach bug, and have been unable to eat for days, even though the sickness is over. I have felt very keenly that need to shove a biscuit into the mouth of my emotions, and have not been able to. I have been acutely aware of how I often use food as medication in this way. Not huge amounts, but a biscuit here, a chocolate bar there. Giving these treats up hasn't been too hard the last 3 weeks and I have perhaps been coasting through Lent on a tide of self-satisfaction. Not being able to eat *anything at all* has pulled the rug of complacency from under my feet, and wham! I find myself flat on my backside! I firmly believe that God allowed this sickness to visit me as a teacher, to make me aware of what giving something up is really about. As a result of this fasting (even though it has been involuntary) I have had to face all kinds of shadows within myself, and all of a sudden, 4 weeks in, Lent has become very painful. And that's as it should be. God moves in mysterious ways! I hope I learn the lesson, and that it has moved me closer to Him, because deep down, it is that elevation we all crave. God bless you, Mrs.P xx Thanks for this! It is really relevant to me this week, as I have just had a nasty stomach bug, and have been unable to eat for days, even though the sickness is over. I have felt very keenly that need to shove a biscuit into the mouth of my emotions, and have not been able to. I have been acutely aware of how I often use food as medication in this way. Not huge amounts, but a biscuit here, a chocolate bar there. Giving these treats up hasn’t been too hard the last 3 weeks and I have perhaps been coasting through Lent on a tide of self-satisfaction. Not being able to eat *anything at all* has pulled the rug of complacency from under my feet, and wham! I find myself flat on my backside!

I firmly believe that God allowed this sickness to visit me as a teacher, to make me aware of what giving something up is really about. As a result of this fasting (even though it has been involuntary) I have had to face all kinds of shadows within myself, and all of a sudden, 4 weeks in, Lent has become very painful. And that’s as it should be. God moves in mysterious ways!

I hope I learn the lesson, and that it has moved me closer to Him, because deep down, it is that elevation we all crave.

God bless you,
Mrs.P xx

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