tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post686192754269177620..comments2023-11-15T04:42:28.413-08:00Comments on Biblical Minimalism: Minimizing Excess Weight Through Prayer & FastingCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-66520364551570020152020-08-16T17:43:07.518-07:002020-08-16T17:43:07.518-07:00Oh, Barb! My heart goes out to you SO much more t...Oh, Barb! My heart goes out to you SO much more than I could ever put into words. I understand every, single thing you said. I know how it feels to hear make such comments and also to see the word "obese" in a medical report. I must say that God is helping me stay on the intermittent fasting. Whatever time I stop eating, I wait 16 hours to start eating again, with 7 PM - 11 AM being my daily goal. If something is going on that I have to stop eating a bit later, I just adjust my starting eating time the next morning. I am praying a LOT, and the fasting time draws me closer to Him, as I lean so hard on Him to give me grace to not eat during those 16 fasting hours each day. I am not going to lie and say it is easy. It is NOT easy. Sometimes at night, it takes everything I've got to not head to the kitchen and snack, but I keep thinking how displeasing to the Lord it is for me to keep abusing my body in this way and how many of my health issues would improve if only I would rein in the flesh in this area. I completely understand how difficult it is to keep on the right path during the hours I am eating, especially for special occasions like you mentioned, but I do have to say that one of the benefits of this daily fasting is that I am not as hungry when I CAN eat! It sort of frustrated me, at first, because I thought, wow, here it is between the hours that I can eat, and I am not even wanting anything to eat!! LOL! I know that is a good problem to have, but I start panicking a bit thinking how I need to cram in my eating before 7 pm because I get so tempted to eat after that at night. But again, the Lord is helping me. I am leaning SO hard on HIM to give me wisdom and help me to do the right thing. I am not limiting myself too much as far as WHAT I eat during the hours from 11-7, except I do not eat hardly any white sugar, but that is something I have been trying to do since 2007. But, though I am not limiting myself as to what I am eating, I am just not eating as much because of not feeling as hungry. I know it is SO hard to start. I think starting it is the hardest part. I would just suggest setting a day that you want to start, and just really praying hard for God's help and just press through the hunger. Day #2 will be a bit easier, Day #3 even easier, etc. It will never be completely easy for us because the enemy wants to keep us feeling defeated in this area, but we CAN conquer this through the blood of Jesus. His blood and power can conquer anything we face in this life. I will be praying for you, Barb. I am so happy you wrote to me today. Please always, always feel free to reach out to me for support, either here or via email at homespundevotions@gmail.com. God bless you, sweet sister. I am looking forward to hearing back from you as to how you are overcoming in this area. You can do this!!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-78789357968107868082020-08-16T17:18:45.342-07:002020-08-16T17:18:45.342-07:00I believe, that God led me to your site! I was cas...I believe, that God led me to your site! I was casually going through emails and was intrigued to find a link to Biblical minimalism. I am astonished that you wrote so honestly about your struggles with weight. I too share your pain over my many defeats as I am only 5' tall and have at least 50 pounds to lose, making me obese. On one day, I had two doctors ask me what I was going to do about it. I know what to do but lack the discipline to start. I have prayed and prayed for help from God to no avail. I know I need to do my part but I fail over and over. So I need to know how is intermittent fasting working for you? How hard is it? I have toyed with it, hoping to get to 8 hours of eating and 16 hours of fasting but have been unsuccessful. It seems something comes up that interferes with maintaining it. How do you handle things like friends inviting you to dinner, eating out, birthday gatherings, and all the other food occasions that happen outside of 11 to 7? I hate what I am and don't feel like my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. How do I even start when the goal is so difficult and far off. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. I am so happy I have found this blog.<br />Thanks, Barb BamontiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515905538834642780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-18992901903584328662020-08-14T06:06:11.171-07:002020-08-14T06:06:11.171-07:00Oh, how I appreciate you, your thoughts, your frie...Oh, how I appreciate you, your thoughts, your friendship, and your precious prayers! Praise God, by His grace and help, I am continuing to do the intermittent fasting for at least 16 hours each day (since July 25). The discipline is forming a habit, and my goal is to try to do this until Christmas just to see how much I lose. I haven't weighed because I don't want to get discouraged if there is no success. I am going to wait until I make sure I am noticing weight loss, then I will weigh, at some point, Lord willing. You will never know how much I appreciate you checking on me and knowing you are praying for me means SO much! Sending much love and gratitude to you today!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-5616311640447797452020-08-14T05:56:33.042-07:002020-08-14T05:56:33.042-07:00How's this going for you, friend? God keeps y...How's this going for you, friend? God keeps you on my heart and I lift you back up to Him ...Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02170871743323855687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-5682341668166884012020-08-05T11:29:16.564-07:002020-08-05T11:29:16.564-07:00Yes! He is so faithful. Knowing we struggle toge...Yes! He is so faithful. Knowing we struggle together and are not alone can bring so much bolstering of encouragement in this life. He surely is our wonderful Redeemer! May He richly bless you, sweet friend.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-77739363244354081992020-08-04T11:52:02.088-07:002020-08-04T11:52:02.088-07:00Hi Cheryl! Don't you just love how the Lord r...Hi Cheryl! Don't you just love how the Lord redeems our struggles and pain in ways that we can offer hope and encouragement to others!<br /><br />'Restoring the years the locusts have eaten.'<br /><br />What a wonderful Redeemer!Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02170871743323855687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-706927675157303732020-08-04T05:01:23.751-07:002020-08-04T05:01:23.751-07:00You are so right, Wideman. Those basic instructio...You are so right, Wideman. Those basic instructions in God's Word hold the answer to every problem and dilemma in this life, and there is such chain-breaking power in every Word in the Bible. I appreciate you sharing your experiences here and trust the Lord will continue to bless you in your journey with Him!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-61218261254359145182020-08-04T04:59:24.120-07:002020-08-04T04:59:24.120-07:00Thank you so much for sharing about your son's...Thank you so much for sharing about your son's and your and Butch's experiences with intermittent fasting, Pam! I am finding more and more people are doing this, and it seems to be very good for the body from what I have read. The discipline of it is so therapeutic for me, for some reason, and I am hoping the weight loss will come, too. I am finding that it is true - the longer you discipline yourself to do something, the more it becomes a habit. Your prayers are SO deeply appreciated, my friend.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-39784387910969142172020-08-04T04:56:47.026-07:002020-08-04T04:56:47.026-07:00YES! I love this precious community and how we ca...YES! I love this precious community and how we can share our hearts and burdens and pray for one another! The Lord is really helping me to turn this intermitten fasting into a habit. I am not sure if I am losing weight - it feels like I might be just a tiny bit. But, I am going to wait to weigh until I know for certain! The main benefit I am seeing daily is that I am entering into that deeper communion with Jesus as I pray during those hours and seek His face. Many blessings to you today, too, sweet friend.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-37428492288828876192020-08-04T04:54:59.323-07:002020-08-04T04:54:59.323-07:00Thank you so much, dear Bettie! I am so grateful ...Thank you so much, dear Bettie! I am so grateful the Lord brought that wonderful thought back to you! Your comment was such an encouragement to me this morning. I am continuing to pray for you, dear friend, and am so hoping the Lord will soon lay His healing hand upon you and bring you relief. You are such a dear blessing to me.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-77112253649820186802020-08-03T22:18:46.812-07:002020-08-03T22:18:46.812-07:00The dietary laws and statues stated in the Bible a...The dietary laws and statues stated in the Bible are a great foundation to maintain health and wellness.<br />I began fasting regularly a few years ago. I never reach my goal but I find every attempt exhilarating.<br />I could only imagine you are experiencing similar feelings ;-)widemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16867815644239783768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-18368559618966437602020-08-02T04:18:10.139-07:002020-08-02T04:18:10.139-07:00Thank you for sharing the hard things that we all ...Thank you for sharing the hard things that we all struggle with. Our son has been doing intermittent fasting for a few years. He didn’t need to lose weight, but it was a discipline to prevent any weight gain. The hubby and I did it for a few months and then the pandemic hit and got us sidetracked. I was a runner for many years, I need to get back to walking. Praying with you my friend.Pam Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06155700433773658812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-52371269544734996882020-07-31T18:59:16.594-07:002020-07-31T18:59:16.594-07:00And I want to add that I am so glad we can pray fo...And I want to add that I am so glad we can pray for each other here, as we all seek to follow His call. May you feel the Lord giving you such strength as you share your journey with us. Bless you, dear friend!BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-7643614153741355322020-07-31T18:58:13.239-07:002020-07-31T18:58:13.239-07:00Oh Dear Cheryl,
Thank you so much for sharing your...Oh Dear Cheryl,<br />Thank you so much for sharing your honest and transparent heart as you walk in obedience with Jesus. Your comments about fasting suddenly brought to my mind an article that I read early in my journey with chronic illness, even before I began blogging, and I had to go read my notes that I had taken then. The author had told of a time in her life when God asked her to "fast from mental and physical strength, that He was calling her into holy weakness." Thank you so much dear friend for once again confirming the conviction that He spoke to me as I read your book. HE is the One who calls us into obedience and trusting Him. May I follow His calling for me here.BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-67490341248945280142020-07-29T19:44:16.956-07:002020-07-29T19:44:16.956-07:00Trish, your wise words are like goads to me. (Ecc...Trish, your wise words are like goads to me. (Ecclesiastes 12:11) They always come at the right time and are so edifying. I SO appreciate your encouragement. It is very strengthening to me. God is helping me each day, and I am so thankful for how He is keeping me on track. Thank you SO much for walking this challenge with me. I am eternally grateful for your support and kindness! God bless you richly, my friend.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-562894024724013992020-07-29T19:40:42.311-07:002020-07-29T19:40:42.311-07:00Oh, Patricia! Bless your heart. I am so sorry yo...Oh, Patricia! Bless your heart. I am so sorry you are going through this. But, I am SO proud of you for doing the fasting, and my, that is a HUGE accomplishment to lose 4 pounds!!! It may sound like a small victory to some, but I tell you, it sounds so big to me because I know how much it means to lose just one pound! I am just so very thankful for your comment and that you shared your story with me. It has boosted my courage and let me know that this DOES work. I don't mind how slowly it comes off, just so I lose the weight for good. The slower we lose it, the more likely we are to keep it off forever! Your comment was a huge help to me tonight and came at just the right time. May the Lord richly bless you for reaching out and in your own journey. Thank you for letting me know I am not alone. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Many blessings to you!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891257905649460436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-90846676865008867512020-07-29T19:34:50.593-07:002020-07-29T19:34:50.593-07:00May the Lord bless your willingness to glorify Him...May the Lord bless your willingness to glorify Him in this venue. I pray you are strengthened in body and spirit. May our Lord bring you victory and may others see Jesus at work and be drawn to Him through your struggles. You have many people cheering you on and we stand together with you for health and that self-control is a fruit of the spirit that is revealed in us as we walk this challenge with you.Trish Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17359447888599577288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560071409252252448.post-22614763322389296992020-07-29T07:51:28.983-07:002020-07-29T07:51:28.983-07:00I am so thankful that you shared this! I too stepp...I am so thankful that you shared this! I too stepped on the doctors scale and immediately felt hopeless. I have Graves Disease, and so I have lost my thyroid. I too started intermittent fasting. I too go from 7 p.m. to at least 11:00 a.m.<br />I have been doing this for 3 weeks, and have lost 4 pounds. I know it’s a all victory, but a victory nonetheless. It also encourages me to keep going. <br />Hope this helped you as well. You aren’t in this alone either. Patricia Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073138511453512157noreply@blogger.com