The Lord's Table II Testimony: Gail

I really enjoyed the study and am grateful for the obedience to God's direction of all involved in Setting Captives Free. The primary benefit I received through this fast was a whole new level of dependence on Christ and an ability to call on Him in times of temptation.

Benefits: A whole new understanding of how to call on Christ and draw from the Word in times of temptation. An awesome revelation of my strength when I work in accord with Him instead of my own useless willpower. A wonderful gift of being able to talk with one nonbeliever and one new believer about Setting Captives Free, fasting and all kinds of other fun and interesting things! It was so encouraging. I also learned how to persevere even after a stumble. I didn't read about anyone else actually stumbling and eating something, but I did - twice... (one bite of a pork chop I was cutting up for my daughter and, on transition day 1, 5 pizza rolls. Yes, I yielded to PIZZA ROLLS! Yikes!) My "nature" would have been to quit and give up. But I didn't! God taught me how to flee temptation through it and how to get up and keep going.

I was able to really truly understand this walk isn't an all or nothing journey, but a series of fits-and-starts that develops into a lifestyle of walking with Him; that "process" we all hear about. One scripture that God gave me at the beginning of my 60 day course, that has been my prayer ever since, is Psalms 141:4 (TLB) "Take away my lust for evil things; don't let me want to be with sinners, doing what they do, sharing their dainties." Yesterday, after my fall and subsequent pick-up, God directed me in my daily reading to Philippians. He showed me Phil 2:13 in the NLT and it says, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him." I'm telling you, as one who has a track record for quitting, this made me cry and thank Him for His work and gave me renewed focus for finishing today in obedience. I'm so grateful that He's not disappointed in me but, rather, He who began this good work in me will continue His work until it is finished!

Challenges: Obviously hunger! Very tired and absentminded and COLD! All the time! Working in a restaurant was hard, cooking for my family was difficult as well. Weighing daily made it hard to keep my focus off of losing weight. Most of the challenges were psychological and when I was faithful to redirect my focus, He was always faithful to me! I have no doubt I will someday do this again. I lost 10 pounds.