Times and Seasons: A Strategic Response to Transitional Disruption

The disruptions that come in a transition are a crucible for training and transformation. The outcome in our lives is not determined by the nature of the disruptions, rather it is based on the decisions that you make whilst in the fire that they bring.

The truth is, we all have the strength and capacity to overcome the challenges that come (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 1:3). However, we need to commune with God to unlock this strength. In an earlier blog I talked about how God’s presence is a force of power that brings life to everything it encounters. Thus, our strength and will to overcome the transitional disruptions in our lives are brought to life when we enter His presence. In the previous blog, I looked at how Esther and Nehemiah experienced disruptions in their lives that pointed to divine transitions. Let us now unpack how they each responded to these events.

When Esther heard the distressed words that Mordecai had conveyed to her messenger, she declared an immediate three-day dry fast for all the Jews living in Susa (the region under threat). She and her attendants joined in the fast as well (Esther 4:16). Similarly, when Nehemiah heard the report about the city of Jerusalem being in a desolate state, he fasted and prayed for days. As you may have noted, the key response in both scenarios is fasting. Fasting is a common theme that is woven into the fabric of Scripture, showing up consistently in the lives of those who sought spiritual breakthrough and divine intervention in hard times.

|So, when Esther and Nehemiah turned to fasting as their first response, it was not a random decision; they were strategically aligning themselves to receive solutions from God.

Fasting is not merely the absence of food and water for a while, but it is an act of humility and faith, as well as a declaration to God that you are in need of His counsel. During a time of fasting our souls are stripped of the excesses that they are constantly exposed to in this world, allowing us to receive the instructions that God whispers and seals in our hearts. We see this in both Esther and Nehemiah’s lives. After their time of fasting, they each had successful ideas about how to solve their respective challenges.

|In times of disruption, when nothing makes sense, fasting can be a powerful tool to calm the internal chaos of tumultuous emotions.

When you submit your soul and spirit to God in fasting, you truly experience being led by quiet waters (Psalms 23:2). Most importantly, He downloads ideas and solutions into your brain, setting you up for success. What is perhaps more powerful is making fasting a regular part of your life. In the book, The Fasted Life, Apostle Isi, writes: “The fasted life is not just a seasonal spiritual exercise; it is a lifestyle, a posture of total surrender to God”. It is also a great way to train our souls (will, mind and emotions) to hear God’s voice, to trust Him, and to rest upon His promises. That way, in times of transitional disruptions, you have a better sense of the ways in which God speaks to you. Ultimately, the decision you make will either be the limitation of your growth or the expansion of your wisdom.

Thank you for engaging with this post! Let's meet again in the next one!