Power for a Breakthrough by Sandy Ralya
Since 2003, thousands of women have been directly impacted by Sandy’s marriage teachings, attending Beautiful Womanhood small groups led by marriage mentors, and applying The Beautiful Wife mentoring curriculum. This curriculum is a powerful resource praised by bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn as “an incredible handbook that every woman needs.”
Sandy and her husband Tom have been married since 1980 and live near Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have three adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. When not writing and speaking, Sandy enjoys shopping at yard sales for vintage clothing, cooking, travelling, and drinking really good coffee, (black is best) with her husband.
Power for a Breakthrough
by Sandy Ralya
At times, nothing short of a breakthrough was needed to supply me with much-needed hope to endure a difficult phase of life. Chances are you understand what I’m talking about.
When Tom and I found ourselves unable to get on the same page concerning issues that had plagued our marriage for years, fasting broke up the logjam of our disunity—and I’m not using the word logjam lightly here! Early in our marriage, my husband was egocentric and self-absorbed and I struggled with sexual abuse issues, both of which contributed to a messy marriage largely void of harmony. Believe me, I tried everything I could think of to regain unity with my husband, but not one log budged. Experts say the best way to break up a logjam is dynamite, and we needed the relational equivalent to break down our marital barriers. Fasting provided the explosive power we needed.
What is a fast? Before I describe what fasting is, I want to explain what it is not. Fasting is not going without food or particular foods for a certain length of time. That’s dieting. Fasting is removing food or a certain food or drink from your life for a spiritual purpose. During the fast, time is spent seeking God about your particular struggle(s).
When I was fasting for my marriage, I would:
- Read the Bible daily
- Sit quietly with a journal to capture any thoughts or impressions that came to my mind
- Thank God for all He’d done and was going to do for me
- Pray morning, noon, and night seeking God for the answers to my problems (even if 5 minutes)
Don’t allow your hectic schedule to stand between you and your breakthrough. We all have a choice when it comes to our extracurricular activities. If you have health issues which you think may prevent you from fasting, consult your doctor about foods that could be eliminated from your diet without experiencing any negative effects. Whatever you choose to fast, select a food or beverage that you love to eat or drink—one which you turn to for comfort. Every time you’re tempted to reach for that item, you’ll be reminded to spend time with God instead. It may be difficult at first, but once you’ve tasted the comfort you receive from spending time with Jesus, you’ll become addicted!
While fasting, God speaks to me about me. As I journal, He reveals His love for me as well as things about me that need to be changed or implemented in my life. When I obey—when I do what I can do—God does what I cannot. He steps in and works change in me, as well as in the people and events that touch my life. There have been times when I’m the only one who changes…but it’s enough to fill me with increased hope, strength and dignity which ultimately gives me the peace I crave.
Do you need a break-through? Fasting will shatter your toughest obstacles.