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Did you give up something for Lent? How is that going for you?

I chose to give up something I crave every day, and you know what? I'm not doing so hot. I feel like I've stumbled right off the wagon.

If you can relate, or you feel like other cravings are breathing down your neck, check out these words from Lysa TerKeurst's Made to Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food.

- Adam Forrest, Zondervan

1. I've realized [my struggle with food] isn't as much about losing the weight as it is gaining truth – the truth of who I am in Christ and how I am made for more than this constant, self-defeating struggle.

2. It's the truth that reminds me a scale can measure my physical body but never my worth [as a person]. And it's the truth that God loves me the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me stuck in a place of defeat.

3. [We have to] park our minds on the truth that our triumph in this trial matters. Triumph will produce a blessing… The blessing we have to consider is this: 'that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything' (James 1:4).

4. I can recognize the beauty of discipline and crave the intimacy with God it unleashes.

5. I can rest assured though the journey will be hard, I will be held.

6. I had to choose to operate in the reassurance of God's love, the remembrance of God's grace, and the reality of God's power. And, according to Isaiah 41:10, God is the one holding me up, not the other way around. To that I say, 'Amen!'

Made to Crave Action Plan

Learn more about Made to Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food

Learn more about the Made to Crave Action Plan, a video-based group study.

Find Lysa TerKeurst on Twitter (@lysaterkeurst)

(This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared for information purposes only. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

With Lent just around the corner, we’re excited to publish this timely guest post from Kristen Feola, author of The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast.

Fasting is a unique opportunity to know God in a deeper way and to hear His voice more clearly. When you fast, you deny yourself food, or certain foods, for a specified period of time as an act of surrender and worship. Those who have participated in this spiritual discipline can testify to experiencing an increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, greater awareness of their dependence on the Lord, and a stronger compulsion to intercede for others.

Types of Fasts

• absolute – no food or water.
• liquid – water, fruit and vegetables juices, and/or broth.
• partial – eat certain groups of foods and restrict others (Daniel Fast)

However, despite the many benefits that fasting offers, many Christians choose not to fast. Although there are a variety of reasons why this is the case, I believe it’s mostly because of fear.

Fear can be a crippling emotion, often keeping us from moving forward when the Lord wants us to step out in faith. When it comes to fasting, many believers find themselves in this position – intrigued by the idea but afraid to commit. Unwilling to trust God in this area of their lives, they remain stuck in place, immobilized by their fears. Some of the most common hindrances to fasting are as follows:

Fear of failure.
Fear of being hungry.
Fear of letting go of what brings comfort.
Fear of physical side effects.
Fear of not seeing answers to prayer.

Perhaps you can relate. You’ve heard testimonies of people sharing about the closeness they share with the Lord on a fast. You’re familiar with the verses in the Bible on the subject. Yet, you can’t get past the anxiety of going without food or certain foods, so you dismiss the whole idea.

It’s normal to be afraid when we stand on the horizon of the unknown. However, fear is never a valid excuse for disobedience. In fact, the Lord makes it clear that when are afraid, we should put our trust in him. During times of weakness, he wants us to acknowledge our inadequacy and recognize that he alone is our Source of strength.

The discipline of fasting is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, but one verse in particular shows us that this practice is to be a regular part of our lives. In Matthew 6:16, as Jesus is teaching his disciples on the issue of fasting, he begins with, “When you fast,” not “If you fast.” His words imply that fasting is not optional for his followers.

How, then, do you deal with the panicky feelings that often accompany a fast?

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How’s Lent Going for You? 6 Encouraging Insights from Lysa TerKeurst