Sometimes, Christians wonder if God can ever force someone to do something. Truth be told, God doesn’t force things on people, most especially something out of their will. However, he can, and he does, force people to fast and pray.
Apostle Paul, in some of his write-ups, revealed he fasted without receiving any direction from the Holy Spirit. In fact, his life changed after God forced him to fast for three days.
“Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”
Acts 9:8-9 Nkjv
It was this compulsory fasting that prepared him for the great task of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though, he was the last person called directly by Jesus from Heaven; he became the most popular apostle among the Jews, also among the gentiles.
Some of us determine the extent God will use us by dictating when and how we will work for him. Of course, there is nothing bad in stating and working by your plan. Nevertheless, there are times God doesn’t work by our timetable.
The Almighty can achieve whatever he wants in ways unknowing to us. When you expect him to pass through cities, he may decide to go through a thick wilderness, as he did for the Israelites. Just as he forced Paul to fast, so he did for Elijah. He won't mind going out of your way if you fail to do whatever he wants you to do.
Our generation can’t afford to joke with their choices. We want to play by our own rules; we want to wear whatever it’s in vogue; we want to watch the latest blockbuster. In fact, a lot of things that take away our attention from God are too numerous to mention in a single article. This list will never be complete if I fail to add food to it. Everyone wants to taste that tantalizing, finger-licking food we see in fast foods.
There are times the ancient of days wants to hear from us, but the aroma and the activities in the kitchen will not allow us pay attention. Some Christians plan the things of the kitchen like an architect planning the structure of a house. The cumbersome plans leave God out of the equation because food seems to be the order of the day.
Paul, when he was Saul, was too religious to recognize Jesus as Lord. So, he was moved towards anyone who referred to Jesus as savior. That led to the mission of arresting of Christians in Damascus. On his way to the city, Jesus appeared to him, and he fell down as unbearable light shone into his eyes.
On the fateful day, Paul lost his eyesight because he looked at the light, which emanated from Jesus. Although his followers heard the voice, they didn’t see the person. Jesus wanted only Saul. After the conversation with his master, he was led to the house of another disciple where fasted for three days. No one told him to fast. He just couldn’t eat for the 3 days.
In conclusion, do not be perturbed or disturbed anytime you lose appetite. You need to start studying yourself. Lost of an ability to eat could be a sign that God is trying to force you to fast and pray for an important task at hand. Paul prayed during the times he couldn’t eat. Even the person who was sent to him knew — because he had been told — Paul prayed. Consistent losing of appetite, if not medically related, is an avenue our master tell us to fast, mandatorily.
Have you ever turned to fasting when you didn’t feel like eating or do you feel it is bad for God to force us to fast in preparing us to do something spectacular for him or ourselves?
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