We are sojourners! How do we war against the things that war against our soul? We go deep! Physically and spiritually!
From a Forbes magazine article on fasting:
"Longo’s hypothesis is that fasting (or starvation) forces your body to “recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed” which explains the drop in the white blood cell count. Two of the key mechanisms are an enzyme called PKA and a hormone called IGF-1, both of which are reduced by fasting. Once you start eating again, your stem cells kick back into high gear to replenish the cells that were recycled."
Now that is the potential result from a physical fast. Why wouldn’t a spiritual fast have the same impact? But instead of fasting from food, why not fast from every unnecessary, worldly thing in your life – internet, TV, magazines, gossip. Force yourself to give up on anything extraneous. Maybe go on a retreat, into the woods, the desert, to a monastery. Don’t feed your passions for a few days and see if the desires recede and you begin to focus on more important things.
Just like a physical fast, a spiritual fast isn’t a one-time thing. We accumulate garbage, in our cells and in our souls, and we need to periodically flush them out to see clearly and live healthy.
Journey Through the Black Moment: Learning the Beatitudes in Pendleton Correctional Facility
Renewing Your Mind: Anger, Control, and the Coronavirus
Navigating the Dark Deep Pit of Deceit!
Scabs: The Impact of Our Current Crisis on Past Trauma and What to Do About It
Stories Heal: 4 talking bears, the Bible, and a heroin addict
The Power of Words: Did I Tell You About the Good Samaritan and the Cocaine Dealer
Why God?: or, how Waffle House Was My Church
Into the Mystery: Facing Trauma and Faith in Yosemite National Park
The Magic of Trees: A Visit With U2, Easy Rider, and The Garden of Gethsemane
Redeeming The Time: The Old Sea Captain Said, Night is Coming
Feel and Act: Waking Up From UnComfortably Numb
The Road of Redemption: The Via Dolorosa and The Thorn in My Side
Perseverance: A Life Worth Living, Steve Jobs, and the American Eel
Bono and Merton: Listening Without Hearing, Responding Without Thinking, I Floated Out of Here
Chasing The Light: Grandma Toodles, Hungarians and The Golden Hour at Lassen Volcanic National Park
The Discipline of Love: The Power of Being Present for Parents and All of Us
Morning Dew and The Path of Humility and Stillness
Lessons in Parenting: Keeping Perspective, Even When Your 3-year old Wants to Punch You in the Face
The News Has Made Itself Unnecessary (Sort of): or, A Life Not Lived Was a Tragedy
On The Road with Jung: The Only Certainties are Found in Doubt
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