![How the Daniel Fast Changed My Life [A Guest Post from Author Kristen Feola]]()
by | Faith Lived Out, Health & Wellness
From Sundi Jo: This is a guest post by Kristen Feola. She is is the author of the book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, an encouraging resource for individuals and groups who are participating in the Daniel Fast. She has worked as a personal trainer, nutritional consultant, First Place 4 Health leader, and fitness instructor. Kristen and her family attend James River Assembly in Ozark, Missouri. Vist her blog or follow her on Twitter.
What is The Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a 21-day partial fast based upon the prophet Daniel’s exeriences as recorded in the Bible (Daniel 9 and 10). The purpose is to restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to God. Someone who chooses to undergo a Daniel Fast demonstrates a physical commitment that reflects a deep spiritual desire for a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
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by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
This past December I knew it was time to make some changes. I could feel myself slipping back into some old ways that I wasn’t happy with. Specifically my eating habits and the lack of exercise.
Refusing to allow myself to get on the scale, I couldn’t deny that something was changing. My clothes were getting a little tight.
The fear of returning to the 330 lb. miserable person I used to be was creeping in and I wasn’t happy about it. Not to mention the fact that I was writing an eBook on weight loss. I felt like a hypocrite. During that time I could feel God calling me to fast. He was doing the same with two of my closest friends.
So in January we decided to start the Daniel Fast. 21 days with only fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Prior to starting I sought out some recipe books for this particular fast. That’s when I found The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast
, written by Kristen Feola. Not only was it loaded with amazing recipes, Feola gave some great insight into the spiritual aspects of doing the Daniel Fast.
She shares over 100 recipes, as well as a 21-day devotional guide to lead you through a daily journey with God.
I immediately knew starting the fast that God would be working with me regarding self-control. My mind started thinking, Wow! I can eat as much as I want because it’s all healthy. God said otherwise. I was still worshiping food. I was still focused on me. But He was ready to change that.
As time went on and I drew closer to God versus the pleasures of food, I recognized just how much more I was in tune to Him speaking to my heart. Things were clearer. Tasks I were to take on made more sense. As time went on I found myself wanting to be more obedient – not because I had too, because I wanted to.
Here are just a few things that happened during my 21 day fast:
- I went back to the gym
- I started drinking a gallon of water again
- My clothes started fitting
- I wasn’t as fatigued
- I got a book deal
- I was more in tune to the prayer needs of others
- I desired God more than I did food
I didn’t do the Daniel Fast because I wanted to lose weight. That was just an added bonus. I did it because I knew God was trying to get my attention and there was too much noise in my world. I needed to be still in Him, sacrifice something that was starting to become an idol, and put my focus back where it needed to be.
I’m so grateful I did. I’m grateful for the extra accountability and support I had from my friends and sisters in Christ. Jesus says when two or more are gathered, He’s there. We as a group got various revelations. Some were for one another. It was pretty amazing!
If there’s something you’re struggling with, I encourage you to consider fasting. If 21 days isn’t what God is calling you to do, go seven. Do one day. Ask God to show you. He will.
Back to Kristen Feola’s book for a second. There is no reason for you to think the Daniel Fast includes starving yourself and eating the same type of vegetables everyday. She provides a wide variety of recipes, categorized into appetizers, meals, soups, etc. Who knew you could do so many things with a sweet potato? And I didn’t find a recipe I didn’t like.
As a matter of fact, I’m sticking as close to the plan as possible, because of the health benefits. Don’t get me wrong. When a steak comes my way I’ll eat it, but I want to stay on the path with this type of food. Not to mention it’s pretty delicious!
Question: If you’ve done the Daniel Fast, what did you get from it? If you haven’t, are you considering doing so? Comment below…
![How the Daniel Fast Changed My Life [A Guest Post from Author Kristen Feola]]()
by | Health & Wellness
It’s only been in the last two years I’ve learned about quinoa.
My friend Louanne introduced me to it during our first Daniel fast experience. It was last year I cracked down on eating gluten-free and I have no plans to turn back in the future.
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by | Health & Wellness
I’m taking a sabbatical from blogging for the next few weeks. While I’m gone, I’ve asked some of my favorite bloggers to stand in for me. This is a guest post by Kristen Feola. She is the author of
The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. Kristen is leading an online Daniel Fast January 5-25, 2014, where participants can sign up to receive daily emails, recipe ideas, and fasting tips. Follow her on Twitter (
@kristenfeola).
If you’re like most people, one of your goals for 2014 is to get in better physical shape. While that’s certainly a worthy ambition, it’s also important (and even more so) to improve your spiritual fitness this year. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT).
One way to train your spiritual muscles is to fast. Fasting involves denying yourself food, or certain foods, for a specified period of time as an act of surrender and worship to God. There are basically three different types of fasts:
• absolute – no food or water.
• liquid – water, fruit and vegetables juices, and/or broth.
• partial – eat certain groups of foods and restrict others (such as the Daniel Fast).
Even though the Bible doesn’t contain a direct command to fast, several examples appear in both the Old and New Testament. One passage occurs in Matthew 6:16, as Jesus is teaching his disciples basic principles of godly living. Addressing the issue of fasting, he begins with, “When you fast,” not “If you fast.” Jesus’ words imply that fasting will be a regular practice in the lives of believers. Following are a few reasons why you should embrace this powerful spiritual discipline:
Fasting is the example set by Jesus.
We should fast because Jesus did. Our Savior spent forty days and nights in the wilderness fasting and praying before he began his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). During that time, the Lord was able to defeat Satan’s attacks because he was prayed up and armed with the Word of God. Jesus’ example shows us how fasting equips and empowers us for victory over sin.
Fasting helps you grow in faith.
When you commit to a fast, you realize how completely dependent you are upon the Lord. You learn to lean on his strength instead of relying on your own.
Fasting changes you.
Fasting allows you to experience a greater sense of the Lord’s presence in your life and the indescribable joy that comes from walking in obedience. As you meditate on his truths and apply his promises to your life, your life is transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When accompanied by fervent prayer, fasting will help you develop intimacy with the Lord like nothing else can. Don’t allow fear, laziness, or the excuse, “It’s too hard!” keep you from stepping out in faith. You can do it. God will help you. He promises to bless those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Make spiritual training your highest priority this year. Nothing is more important than knowing the Lord and growing in Him.
by | Faith Lived Out, Health & Wellness
I was introduced to fasting several years ago when I was a brand new Christian. The thought of giving up something for God was scary to me, and fascinating at the same time.
Since then I have taken part in my fair share of fasting. A few hour fast. 24 hours. A partial fast from something that I enjoy, such as television.
photo credit: shutterbean
Last year some friends and I joined together to do a 21-day Daniel Fast, inspired by my new friend, Kristen Feola. It was a fantastic experience, both spiritually and physically.
I started 2013 out doing something different.
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