For 21 days, ending this past Saturday, I was fasting. I didn’t mention it on the blog because I wanted to make sure that my focus stayed inward, and also because I’ve been hesitant to post about my faith for fear of alienating any of you wonderful people. But after much thought I’ve decided that this is something I can’t keep from you! It’s too good not to share.
So right now most of you are probably wondering a couple things: 1)when did you go bonkers? and 2) what the heck is the Daniel Fast and why would you do it? Well fasting is a practice used in many faiths, but for me as a Christian it’s defined as the restriction of food for a spiritual purpose. That purpose is to put the spirit above the desires of the flesh and to focus yourself squarely on God. The Daniel Fast is based on the Old Testament story of Daniel, which I’m sure most of you are familiar with. When Daniel arrived in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (that guy with anger management problems who threw Daniel into a fiery furnace), he and his companions were offered many indulgent foods that violated their Jewish dietary customs. I imagine lots of cronuts and bottles of Cristal. So instead of eating the feasts offered to them, Daniel asked that he and the men with him be given only plants to eat and only water to drink. And THIS is the amazing part.
” ‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.” -Daniel 1:12-15
Wow. Those verses are so powerful to me. From this and other biblical passages, many Christians choose to follow Daniel’s example and participate in what is now called the Daniel Fast. I’m one of those people! The Daniel Fast, which is traditionally a 3-week practice, involves following these guidelines:
- no animal products of any kind
- no sugars of any kind (unless they naturally occur IN a food, like fruit)
- no beverage other than water
- no leavened bread
Many of you know that I am already a fairly clean-eating vegetarian, so I added some extra restrictions to my own fast so that I could personally benefit from this practice in self-control. Essentially I tried my best to eat mostly raw fruits and vegetables for all my meals.
(Vegan Cobb Salad that I loved while on the fast)
Everyone has their own personal reasons for fasting, and sometimes people fast as a community or as a church which can be really powerful. But for me I was fasting for guidance and inner peace. Many of you know that I graduated law school a year ago, and that I have yet to get a legal job. I have taken the bar exam twice over this past year, and spent a lot of time questioning whether I had made the right decision and what I should be doing toward my future. I felt like I was floating around in limbo, and I desperately needed God’s love and security to anchor me down. Even though I knew it would be a challenge, I knew a time of fasting and prayer was what I needed.
Words are really inadequate to explain this, but I learned so much and grew so much during the fast. Not only was my spirit thriving, but my flesh was thriving too! My skin completely cleared, my digestion was like a dream, I was able to go off some of my medications, and I felt so energized. More importantly, I spent more time in meditation and prayer than I had in years (probably since I was a child) and experienced a closeness with God that I have never felt before. He truly gave me a peace that passes all understanding, and I’m so grateful that He did. Now instead of being worried about my future, I’m so excited and thankful for what God has planned for my life.
I feel like I’m also obligated to say that this experience was not without it’s rough patches. Eating out with friends and visiting my in-laws in Jersey was very challenging, as I was trying to walk the balance between “I’m joyfully fasting!” and “I’m so sorry I’m making this so weird and inconvenient for the people around me!”. But I’m so glad that I stuck with it and am so happy to share about the positive impact it had on my life. The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body
Thank you so much for letting me open up about these very personal topics! I’m never one to try and tell people what they should believe or how they should live their life, so please don’t think that’s what I’m doing. I’m all about accepting people for who they are, sharing unconditional love, and inviting people with open arms to join me if they will.
-Lauren
P.S.- This has changed the way I will eat FOREVER! More on that another day.
13 Responses
Shannon
So cool! Thanks for sharing – the Daniel Fast is something I’ve been thinking about doing, and it’s great to hear someone’s personal experience. We’re already vegan, but cutting out sugar and focusing more on plant-based foods would be really good.
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
That’s so great, thanks so much for your comment Shannon! 🙂
Allison
Hi Lauren!
This post could not have come at a more opportune time for me. I too graduated from law school last May and have taken the bar twice since. Suffice to say that I related to everything in this post – the fear of the unknown, the “limbo” stage, and the spiritual struggle to trust Him. I will definitely think about doing this fast! 🙂
Best of luck with everything, trust in the Lord, and keep up the great job with this blog!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for commenting! God has GREAT plans for both of us! If we can make it through law school and two rounds of the bar exam, we can make it through anything. 🙂
Rebekah | The Kitchen Gidget
I’ve been thinking about fasting for my spiritual well-being also. I know I need that closeness, especially when life isn’t turning out as expected. Thanks for your boldness and for sharing.
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thank you for letting me share and for being so supportive! 🙂
Nala
Thank you for sharing your faith and your experience with us, Lauren!! I actually so needed this right now. I am at point where a spiritual, emotional and physical cleanse through fasting and cutting out certain foods would do me wonders! I have done the 10 day Daniel fast before, but I was thinking of doing it again, but your post was just the push I needed to do it again! Thanks!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
I’m so glad this post resonated with you! That’s wonderful that you’re planning to do the fast again!
Abby
Hi Lauren…congrats on finishing the Daniel’s Fast strong! I have been doing that fast for the past 3 years…I do it every January and have been blessed every time. It certainly is a challenge, but the spiritual rewards are priceless. I believe and will continue to trust God that He will reveal your right path and order your steps accordingly. As an executive brand strategist and career coach who started her career in business management and even did a MBA degree with a concentration in finance, I will encourage you that if in the end, the law path is not for you, that’s ok!! Staying true to your passion and purpose is more important…and continue blogging, I enjoy all of your posts. Be blessed.
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Thank you so much for these kind words, Abby! So great to know how many others have been blessed by the Daniel Fast, too!
Kelli
I love you even more now!!!!
Lauren @ Dash of Soul
Awww, thank you so much! It means so much to be getting this support!
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