40 Day Sugar Fast

As I sit here typing, I find myself hesitating. Should I share this deeply personal journey with all of you? My worst fears are 1) failure, 2) letting people down, and 3) being real with others only to then be rejected. But I feel led to this journey of discovery, this quest for more of Jesus. And I feel led to share it with all of you.

So here it is:

I am about to complete a 40 day sugar fast.

Now before you commend me or scoff at me or roll your eyes (or whatever is your inclination), let me clarify a few things.

• Yes, I need to lose those COVID-19 pounds. (Holy moly do I need to lose them.)
• Yes, I need to eat cleaner for my own health and for the health of my family. (I’m not getting any younger over here.)
• Yes, I know that sugar is bad for me.
• But, no, those aren’t the main reasons I’m doing a sugar fast.

I read the following excerpt from The 40-Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake and it rocked me to my core:

If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: “This much, O God, I want you.”

Sugar has become an idol for me.

What an eye-opening revelation!

Sugar is something I turn to when I’m bored. When I’m sad. When I don’t want to turn anywhere else.

And Idols are hard to destroy.

• So, yes, I know this will be difficult.
• Yes, I understand that I might fail.
• Yes, I will see things in myself that I won’t like as I detox from the sugar addiction I’ve enjoyed my whole life.
• But, more importantly, I know I will see more of Jesus, and I will experience more of His presence. And nothing is more important than that.

So now I’m inviting you on this journey with me. Are you ready to experience more of Jesus? Do you want to join me?

Wednesday June 17 will be Day 1 for me. I will (hopefully) be updating my blog more frequently over these next 40 days, so you can follow me by reading (or subscribing to) this blog. But you can also join me by doing the sugar fast with me. Grab a copy of Wendy Speake’s book or check out her website, and let’s get started. (Link is affiliate but I am not receiving anything by promoting this 40 Day sugar fast website. I just chose this book to guide me on my fast.)

If I’m being honest with you, I’m terrified to share any of this in a public space. Because I have no idea what will actually happen as I process through this fast. But I’m praying Jesus will show up and that I will learn to turn to Him for all of my needs, not just the needs I think He can handle.

Let me know if you’re joining me for the sugar fast! I’d love to hear how Jesus is working in your life.