In Relief Society, we talked all about the blessings of the law of the fast. We also talked about fast offerings. The more we talked, the more I realized that I was missing possible blessings because I wasn't keeping the law of the fast. Fasting is a choice. And I had been choosing to skip out on the blessings that come from fasting! What a shock it was to me to realize that. God wants to bless us, and I've seen many blessings come from other commandments which I've kept. But when I realized that because of my choices, I hadn't realized that I was chooseing to skip out on some of the blessings the Lord had to give me. They had to pass me by.
Doctrine and Covenents 130:20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
Yup. That pretty well sums it up. Any blessing we receive, is because of obedience to that law which we've kept. So that Relief Society lesson was a wake up call for me. I knew that I could put forth more diligent effort to obey the law of the fast. This also includes fast offerings. It was just never anything I had thought about. Trevor and I are full tithe payers, but we had just never thought about fast offerings. You might ask "How could you not think of it? It's on the tithing slip!" I know, I know. Guilty as charged.
I now have a good testimony of the law of the fast. The week after this lesson was Fast Sunday! This also happened to be the week that Trevor and I found ourselves with no internship and the thought of me getting a job. (Dec 5th weekend). That Sunday, Trevor and I decided to give a proper fast, and pay fast offerings. I was hungry, but we made it for the full fast.
That night, we received answers to our prayers. We felt closer to God and we received a little more knowledge of His will for us. I applied for jobs, and the QuickBooks class. We felt peace. That night, our path changed for the better. I know it was because of our obedience to the law of the fast that blessings were showered down upon us that week. We gained so much from that week. We gained direction, peace, comfort, knowledge, perspective, understanding and a strengthening of faith.
I've heard it said that our obedience is like an umbrella. When we don't obey God's laws, it's like we are opening an umbrella and His blessings do not fall on us. But when we are obedient, that umbrella closes, and God showers down his blessings upon us.
It was amazing how much happened and how much we gained from obeying that great law. I also know it's important to fast with a purpose. Without a purpose, you are just starving yourself. But fasting with a purpose, and you are drawing closer to God.
What are some of the blessings of fasting? You can click here to read more.
- You can feel God's love,
- Your relationship with God will strengthen,
- You can receive personal revelation (like we did!)
- You can receive power to overcome temptations,
- You can receive a remission of sins,
- You can receive/witness healing and miracles.
- You can receive spiritual strength
- You can receive health.
Side note: It was been proven that to fast once a month is a good thing for your body. It helps the body to reset and kind of cleanse the insides. It allows the body to empty and start fresh.
I know that I've been blessed and have seen blessings come from keeping the law of the fast. It's something that I plan to do from now on. I don't want to pass up any blessings, because I know that I need all the blessings I can get. ;) We are all imperfect and need God's blessings. I also know that He is very eager to shower blessings down upon us, to rush to our aid, to help us in any and every way He can.
- SamiMae
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