Open My Eyes: A 21-Day Fasting Devotional from Jentezen FranklinSample

Fasting Day 8: Seeing Your Current Situation

This is Day Eight of our 21-Day Fast, and we’re so glad that you’re joining us on this fast. One of the interesting things about fasting is that even though your world has been turned upside down for a season – the rest of the world goes along as if nothing is happening. But let me be the first to remind you – something is happening and all of heaven is sitting up and taking notice. Don’t look back now. Press on and press in! 

Seeing God in the Storms of Life

Many times, the greatest obstacle to moving forward with the Lord isn’t in the past; it’s some paralyzing event or set of circumstances happening right now. Criticism, betrayal, conflict or even things like a bad medical report or a child who is far away from God can stop you where you stand and things like purpose, calling, and legacy seem like a distant, fading ship in the fog. I bring you good news – Jesus hasn’t gone anywhere, and just like He was with Peter when Peter walked on water – He is right there to save you. Your hope is not gone. Your future is secure and that set of circumstances you find yourself in is but a season, not a sentence. When your world appears as though it’s all falling apart in the physical, it’s actually falling into place in the spiritual. God’s got you! 

Recently, Cherise and I were at the Dead Sea, which is literally the lowest place on the earth. Maybe you’re there, spiritually. Maybe you’re there emotionally. The reason that it’s called the “Dead Sea” is because there’s nothing living in it. It’s so salty because it has no outlets. It only takes in, it doesn’t give out. Here is the lesson of the Dead Sea: When you get discouraged, go and help somebody else. Encourage somebody else. Love somebody else. Don’t become a Dead Sea, only taking in and never giving out. Sometimes when you’re fasting and praying, it will bring up a lot of negative emotions. Elijah, when he fasted, went under a juniper tree and became depressed. Fasting cleanses us spiritually, yes, but it cleanses and stirs us emotionally as well. But what brought Elijah out of his cave of depression was when God told him to go anoint somebody else. When he went and anointed three people, his depression lifted. Trust Him and draw near. He is your protector, defender and your strong tower. He goes before you and prepares the way. In times like these you have to trust God and lean not in your own understanding. Keep walking with Him; especially when your emotions are taking you down a darker path. Stop where you are, look up and call out His name. He will answer you and direct your path back to the light. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is a promise you can count on when your emotions cause you to fear and see only the negative.

Prayer:

Father, encourage people today. Turn them from a Dead Sea to a flowing mighty river. Today when they are tempted to take their eyes off of You and onto the storm, remind them of the hope of glory You’ve called them to. Shift their perspective and focus to find You in every storm. Remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted and close to the crushed in spirit. In Jesus’ Name.