Fasting is difficult, but I love it. It is such a blessing, to open your spirit to the wonders of God. Satan knows how beneficial it is that he will do anything to interrupt it. This day was no exception! I will never forget the cunning way he literally devised this.
It was during my annual fast and while at work I was craving a caramel muffin. Now I never eat caramel muffins. I adore caramel, but not as a muffin. I run for the lemon poppy seed or the beloved chocolate. Never ever caramel. But the craving was insatiable. My mouth was watering thinking about it, to the point of frustration. I could taste it. I tried praying it away but it just never went. I can’t tell you how crazy I was for a caramel muffin!
Eventually I just tried ignoring it.
I also started wondering where my Manager was, she was almost an hour late. She never called in like she usually would if she was running late.
Much later, in she storms, carrying a brown paper bag. She exclaimed excitedly, “Wow! Traffic is bad this morning! On the way to work, I don’t know why, but I wanted to get some muffins. The traffic jam to get into the place was impossible! I had to wait 20 minutes just to get a parking. But I really wanted to get us some muffins! Here – I got you a caramel one.”
Errrm…I kid you not. How sneaky was Satan’s plan? She was over an hour late for work trying with all her might to get, not just a muffin, but a caramel one! I did not want to tell her I was fasting, so I thanked her for the muffin and kept it for my daughter when I got home. I was so shocked but I saw it immediately for what it was. I was being tempted to have my blessing taken away for a muffin. Red lentil stew anyone?
She would also never eat lunch at work, she was just one of those people. I also badly craved pizza that week and she came and sat at my desk with a pizza to ‘chat’. Eating in front of me! In the four years I worked there that never ever happened again!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
In what ways have you been tempted during fasting, Reader?
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