ROOTED RENEGADE

Whatever you called to…ministry, the marketplace, nonprofit, etc. you know that if you are to fully walk in what God called you to, then you have to know a few things:

1. Timing
2. Location
3. Position

When we know these three, the rest will fall into place. One thing I have learned is that when you are called to anything by the Lord, the enemy will set up traps to snare you in. He will try to get you to:

1. Launch before time
2. Move to a different location
3. Take the wrong position

The enemy knows that if he can get you out of alignment, then when things don’t fall into place like you thought they would, you will start to doubt God.

And when doubt creeps in…it brings friends!

So how do we stay focused and in alignment on these three key areas?

• We fast and pray for the timing.
• We fast and pray for the location.
• We fast and pray for the position.

Sounds simple right? It can be simple but when you face opposition, it can be difficult. Fasting positions our flesh to be submitted to the authority of Jesus. Praying is our intimate connection to the Father. Combined, they are powerful tools in our arsenal.

I am speaking to me as well. There have been many times when I have started a fast for direction and clarity only to cave a few days in (sometimes the first day). Then I would have to start over and often times would beat myself up because I felt like I failed at it.

Truthfully, we aren’t really failing when we struggle to fast. We are actually training our flesh to keep trying. Failure is really not failure. It’s a lesson on how to succeed. And God is patient with us as we learn.

Jesus knew that to defeat certain things it would require prayer and fasting. When He did it, He was modeling for His disciples how to submit to Abba. We can take some lessons from Him as well.

1. Not everyone needs to know you are fasting.
2. Holy Spirit needs to lead you in the fast.
3. While fasting, remember that it takes 8 minutes for a craving to pass.

If it is not a corporate fast, then it is a personal one. One that Holy Spirit will lead you on. He will teach you the right fast for the timing or season you are in. You may not be called to eat nothing for days on end. You may be called to stop talking about yourself negatively for a time period. You may be called to give up your favorite beverage or sweet. You may be called to do a Daniel Fast. No matter what you are called to do, do it as unto the Lord. When He calls you to it, He will get you through it.

Also, cravings last typically 8 minutes. I learned this when I was going through recovery many years ago. If you can make it 8 minutes then it is a success. If you struggle with cravings while fasting, set a timer for 8 minutes when it starts. Then do it again and over again, until you don’t need the timer anymore.

If we are to be in the right timing, location, and position then we have to start with submission. The last thing the enemy wants you to do is submit your flesh to God. And he wants you to feel like a failure. But jokes on him…every time you try…you win!

So seek first the kingdom of heaven friends. This giant will soon fall!

Faythe