The throbbing in my head was so intense I could hear my heartbeat through my ears. I remember my emotions running wild, tears flowed unexpectedly, and irritability rose within me. My body felt like it was fighting against me. It had become my enemy. You see, I was two days into a sugar fast. As a full-fledged sugar addict, I was ending a toxic relationship with sugar. For a long time, I ignored the Lord’s invitation to break up with sweets and depend on Him alone. At the end of my rope, hanging on the fringes of Jesus’ cloak, I quit sugar cold turkey.
I was dumbfounded with the pain and discomfort. Why wasn’t my obedience in the hard places being blessed (with comfort)? Was I not on the right track? Maybe a little sugar wouldn’t hurt, right? I mean, did God really say to cut out sugar completely?
Instantly, my mind was transported to the Garden. Eve stood before the tree looking longingly at the ripe, juicy apples. The snake enticed her to take a bite. Its words hissed into her ears and mine; “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1).
With that thought, the enemy was exposed. I had the opportunity to make a different choice than Eve made on that fateful day. At that moment, I took my discomfort straight to the feet of Jesus. There, God told me, “It’s the ‘undoing’. Allow me to undo this in order for My plans for you to prevail.”
Here’s the deal, friends: we often pursue many avenues of comfort this world offers. We hustle for a bigger paycheck to add to our mountains of stuff. We veg out in front of the TV, eating anything but veggies. We scroll for hours on social media while rattling off that we don’t have time to study our Bible. In a whirlwind of distraction and chaos, we can’t figure out why we feel exhausted, anxious, and depleted.
Often in desperation, we ask God to come in to set things straight in our lives. It doesn’t matter what God is realigning–whether it is your time, talent, or resources–it’s uncomfortable and it’s often painful. It doesn’t take long before our flesh pushes back. Jesus warns us, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41).
Isn’t it funny how much credit we give to our flesh? But this scripture clearly tells us, the flesh is weak. In the battle between our flesh and Spirit, we don’t have to surrender to our flesh. We have a choice. We can continually choose the Spirit.
Paul tells us in Galatians, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16)
You may be wondering, “How is that biblical truth supposed to help me detox from the symptoms of living in this world? How does that help me with the pain?” Our pain and discomfort demonstrate the weakness of the flesh. But, there is another side to the detox coin. The Spirit. Where our flesh wants comfort and pleasure, our spirit wants something else. It’s after our freedom.
With each throbbing pain in my head, God reminded me of something important that day. In the same way that it doesn’t have to feel bad to be bad, it also doesn’t have to feel good to be good.
The “Undoing” is necessary. The victory of our flesh has to be “undone”. There will likely be pain and discomfort. But, friend, know that in the midst of the pain, freedom is breaking through. By continuing to choose the Spirit over flesh, we begin to run in step with God. And, as we press forward by the leading of the Spirit, we will find that we’ve been set free.
In the comments below, share the places where you’ve allowed your flesh to win over the Spirit. How do you expect God to undo you and restore you during the 21-day Sugar Fast?
Jess Doan is a wife and mother of two boys. She graduated from RWIT with Platoon 12. She is the founder of New Way Ministries. You can follow New Way Ministries on Facebook and Instagram!
Thank you for reading the Revelation Wellness Blog! This month, our writers are sharing stories of God’s faithfulness during challenges and the satisfaction we find in Him alone. You are not too late to sign up for the pay-what-you-will 21-day Sugar Fast! Sign-ups close September 6th at 11:59 pm EST!
Workout with us in this #wednesdayworkout! For more workouts like this, visit RevWell TV!
ASHLEE’S BEGINNER STRENGTH – “HE IS RISEN”
Nobody can train the basics enough. Especially when it comes to weight training. The rewards of putting our bodies under resistance are numerous, but the risks are real. This workout will help reinforce the healthy basics. (BEGINNER) (LUKE 24:5; HAND WEIGHTS)
46 Responses
i’m registered for the sugar fast and have a receipt, but I’m not getting the emails from this. My girlfriends are forwarding theirs to me so I have the data. Can you help me fix this?
Hey Kim, have you checked all your email boxes? Sometimes the emails go to spam. If you have checked all your email folders and you still don’t see anything, follow this link to send in a help ticket: https://69e9ef5477.nxcli.net/support/
So powerful, Jess! Your testimony, faith, and reminder scriptures will help during the battles of the upcoming sugar fast! Thank you for contributing to the blog! You bless others!
Thank you for reading, Michelle! This post is super encouraging as we approach the sugar fast!
I’m scared. I’ve tried and failed so many times. I give in. The older I get the harder it gets to not give in. I know my walk and service to the lord would be so much better. I long for freedom, I dont give up but I grow weary sometimes. I am tormented. Now I’m a care giver for both parents, lots of stress and can be overwhelmed. I go to the sugar for comfort. I know it’s a lie but I feel I dont have a choice at that moment. I’m looking forward to the fast but also scared.
Bonnie, I’ll be praying for you to feel peace and joy if you choose to join the fast. The Lord is FOR you, not against you. The lies you are believing and the fears you’re feeling now can point you back to Him.
I find myself scared to start because of too many failures in the past. I fear my desire for sugar is stronger than my desire for God…lord would you fill me with your spirit. Would you free me from my draw to sugar and stregthen my desire for you.
I’m praying that prayer with you, Tracy!
At the beginning of this year, I was physically and mentally exhausted. I knew I had to do something about it. Going to a natural doctor to see what all was going on inside and even before that…stopping all the junk going into my body.
it’s definitely not easy. but god is right there with us. and nothing we do will ever be as hard as what jesus did. sometimes that is what i had to tell myself. yes, the flesh is weak…but god isn’t.
once i did a food detox, i knew what effects it had on my body. for the past couple months, i let more junk in than i should. my body felt it. knowing we were doing the 21 day sugar fast, i decided to do my food detox in september, as well. god is there through it all!
Thank you for sharing your journey and such great words of wisdom.
It has been incredible to watch your journey, Stephanie! Thank YOU for sharing!
What a good and glorious word jess!
So wise, you speak wit a wisDom that only comes from expErience, struggle, and discomfOrt. Thank you so much for the reminders we all need… tHat we are not alone in the “hard” and the freedom that Only comes fRom faith.
Yes, freedom comes from faith! Let us all increase our faith over the next 21 days!
I’ve allowed the flesh to win By VEGGING out in front of the TV or social media with a bag of veggie chips. We have the victory… it’s already done and won. It’s time to pick it up.
Praise! Can’t wait for you to join us in this fast!
I have let the flesh win in my RelatiOnship with food and in my motivation. I am an emotional eater and have a disordered relationship with food. i also have a lot of plans and goals and dreams but No drive to ACCOMPLISH them – pRoBably because i feel bad a lot of the time.
We are praying for you, Hannah! You have a place here and it is so good that you are revealing your pain. Now, make room for the Lord to heal you.
A sugar fast is definitely due! I started on in march and was really diligent for about 45 days. Sugar is so sneeky and so here i am again! Looking forward to it & Not looking forward to it but so needing it!
I’m right there with you, Laura! Thanks for sharing!
Knowing my sugar fast was coming up, I rationalized that I needed to eat/drink all the sugar in the house. It wouldn’t do to have that wasted. Thank you! I need to put the brakes on. I have been eating worse since I signed up for the fast, than I typically do. Again, very timely. Thank you.
Same! I am definitely afraid to let go of sweets. Let’s take it to the Father and ask for good cravings!
this will be my first sugar fast. I’ve heard and read of all the benefits of no sugar but have felt powerless to do anything about it. I help frequently with my grandchildren and find myself going to sugar to try to keep up with them. I am praying for healing in my emotions that keep me going back to sugar and am choosing to rely on his strength and grace to help me through this.
The Lord will be with us! Thank you for sharing.
I too have reservation in starting yet again another sugar detox. I’ve done it my way and have failed. But using GODS TRUTH AND THIS MINISTRY MOTIVATES ME TO TRY AGAIN. JESS THANK YOU FOR A WELL WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF HOW OUR WEAK FLESH WILL HOLD US BACK BUT ONLY THE SPIRIT WILL TAKE US TO TRUE FREEDOM. I WISH EVERYONE WELL ON THIS JOURNEY.
We’re so glad you are joining us in this, Vanessa!
Praying this, Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
So good! Thank you!
Back when Atkins diet was the tHing i Did that and lOst 75lbs.
I can live without bread & pasta bUt ice cream is my weakest lInk.
In the past 2.5 years i have had to get rid of gluten, Dairy, and anything with high fructose corn syrup. Byvall means i should weigh 120 with no More than i eat.
With Having a lOw thyroid , it truly sucks . I ami on medication For it and Have walked at leadt twice a week and Still not lose . ♀️
We’ll pray for healing, Kim! Will you be joining us in the fast?
I am signing up now. I’m pretty excited and scared to death at the same time. Follow thru can be so hard. I really want to do this. It’s a good time, as I’m starting her book this week
You are not alone, Crystal!
Hi I just signed up for the 21 day sugar fast and I am scared to give up sugar. I work at a daycare and my job can be so stressful and I run to sugar for comfort. I lost my dad this past monday night. He had Dementia and he was in a nursing home. He wanted to go back to his house but he wasn’t taking good care of himself so we had to do what WAs right for him and put him in a nursing home. Well he was miserable those months that he was in there and he wasn’t quiet about it. He also refused to eat the food they cooked for him. He would eat the
Little donuts that we brought him that he always loved but when they started putting his medicine in his donuts because he wouldn’t take his medicine then he stopped eating the donuts too. Now my dad has passed away and I would normally be scared to go without sugar alone but with my dad being recently gone I am scared that I won’t have sugar to lean on. Sorry God for saying that. Please Lord help me run to you and not to sugar. I have candida overgrowth and this summer I have had so many yeast infections this summer that I have to do something.
We pray for healing for you during this fast, Barbara. The Lord hears your cry and He blesses your obedience in taking on this fast.
How will i continue my moms legacy of baking without eating what i bake? So many enjoyed the gift of baKed goods but i have zero control when i bake. I Dont know how this is going to work but I want to be free!
Remember, this is a fast and we pray that the fast will lead to healing and more food freedom! And hey, you can still bake without sugar! Your mom’s legacy lives on!
I’m invested in leaving the chains of my past food addictions behind. I no longer want to live an unfulfilled, unfaithful life. Thanks for offering this start to resetting my choices and being present in my recommitment journey. I will be praying for our strength and dependance on the lord to provide a way through life together.
We can’t wait for you to join us, Susanne!
Falling out of “the wagon”( even for a seaso)n does not equal Failure! As long as you are moving forward & trying again, you are working toward the goal of having a healthy body 🙂 Look how many times Thomas edison “failed” – i’m so thankful he didn’t sit down and quit trying 🙂 i even look at my spiritual walk – i go through dry seasons where i don’t feel like being in the word (and sometimes i’m not), or i don’t get a single thing out of it because i’m not “feeling it”, but i know that is where my hope is, so i get back up and get back “in”- we keep pressing on to the prize! Also, even if you aren’t seeing the physical results you desire, keep moving if for no other reason than because your body was made “through him & for him”! Also, because there are so many unseen benefits that far outweigh sitting down! I still have cellulite no matter how much I work out, but I know that keeping my body physically fit & eating well are good for me & God”s plan for me, so I embrace the cellulite & move on 🙂 Stay in community with like minded people to encourage you & keep you accountable 🙂
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Carol! This will be a great season of learning and growing closer to the Lord. I’m thankful we are not alone!
Hi all! My roomie invited my son and I to join this sugar fast. I am usually preTty Successful COMPLETING a fast THROUGH Mere determinatiOn and not Wanting to let those I’M doing it with down, bUT MY STRUGGLE IS IN FALLING BACK INTO THE OLD FAMILIAR HABITS OF POOR FOOD CHOICES ONCE THE FAST IS OVER. This time, I also want to go into this fast “as unto the lord”…all for him and for hIs glory!! PrAyers appreciated for us as we begin this sugar fast together on Monday!! Thanks!!
We are so glad you are joining us in this fast! We’ll give you tools to get out of the fast as successfully as you can. We pray this is a time for healing!
iS QUINOA OK TO EAT ON THE 21 DAY SUGAR FAST?
Hey Tracey, if you signed up for the fast that information is in the food guidelines!
I know I need this, but im scared that i will fail to complete it. I need help from the spirit and a boost in faith.
We pray your faith increases throughout these 21 days! You are not alone.
Its day one of the fast and I’m having a difficult time emotionally. My husband just doesn’t get it all. But what you described is exactly what I needed to hear. I’m going to share it with him and maybe this will help him understand my struggle and why i haven’t been successful in the past. I did the work alone, not with a spiritual focus. God wasn’t beside me. looking forward to a change of heart! Thanks!!!
We’ll be praying for you! Maybe you both can watch the fasting webinar together to learn more about fasting. This is a traditional Christian practice!