Hey darling, welcome back to the blog!
It’s a cold morning here in England, with grey clouds hanging low in the sky. I’m curled up in my favourite spot by the window, sipping on a warm cup of Earl Grey tea. The room is peaceful except for the gentle sound of the radiator and the occasional sound of my daughter giggling in the next room. My journal lies beside me, filled with prayers and plans for a fast I recently started but didn’t quite finish how I hoped.
Fasting is supposed to be a time to grow closer to God, to focus on Him and to let go of distractions. But let’s be honest, fasting isn’t easy. Whether hunger, stress or simply life getting in the way, sometimes we stumble. Maybe you’ve been there too. Perhaps you gave in to the smell of your favourite meal, or you just forgot altogether in the busyness of your day.
It’s easy to feel like you’ve failed or let God down when that happens. I’ve felt that way too, sitting here and replaying the moments I could’ve done better. But as I watch the steam from my tea rise, I’m reminded of something important: God’s love doesn’t change because we stumble. His grace is bigger than any failure, and He’s always ready to help us start again.
If you’re feeling discouraged because you didn’t complete your fast, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what to do next and how to turn this moment into a step forward in your walk with God. Together, we’ll look at practical steps and encouraging truths to help you move past the disappointment and embrace His grace.
What Happens When You Fall Flat
There I was, staring at the evidence of my failure, a single crisp, feeling like I’d let God down, let myself down. I mean, if we’re going to mess up a fast, shouldn’t it at least be for a scone or a roast dinner?
But then I thought about how God doesn’t judge us like we judge ourselves. He doesn’t look at my failure and say, “Oh well, that’s it, she’s out.” No, He sees the heart behind our efforts, even when we get it wrong.
That night, after putting Keyana to bed (and rescuing her toy rabbit from the biscuit tin for the third time), I sat down and opened my Bible. That’s when Jeremiah 8:4 jumped out at me:
“When people fall, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?”
And I thought, “Well, Lord, if falling counts as snacking during a fast, I’ve certainly done my bit for today.”
Fasting in a Busy Household
Let’s face it—fasting when you’ve got a family is a bit like trying to keep a toddler in a white outfit all day: messy, unpredictable, and impossible without divine intervention. You’ve got the best intentions, but then someone spills something, cries over something, or suddenly needs you to fix their favourite toy while you’re mid-prayer.
My husband? Bless him, he tried to be supportive, but even he raised an eyebrow when I told him I wasn’t eating. “You’re not even sneaking a biscuit with your tea?” he asked, clearly concerned for my sanity. I explained it was a water fast.
It’s moments like these that remind me that fasting isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about seeking God, even in the chaos. And sometimes, that means laughing at the madness and carrying on anyway.
Lessons (and Laughs) Along the Way
Here’s what I’ve learned from this messy, crisps-included attempt at fasting:
- God Sees the Heart
Whether you last a week or a day, God honours your intention to draw closer to Him. He’s not keeping score, and thankfully, He’s not tallying the crisps. - Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
I think God has a sense of humour. After all, He made toddlers, didn’t He? If I can laugh at myself and keep going, I’m already winning. - Family Life Isn’t a Barrier to Faith
It’s easy to think you need complete silence to connect with God, but honestly, some of my most honest prayers happen while I’m scrubbing crayons off the walls. - Progress, Not Perfection
I didn’t manage my fast perfectly, but I’m learning to celebrate progress. If nothing else, I’ve spent more time in prayer (even if half of it was asking for patience during snack time).
Grace for the Journey
So, if you’re in a similar boat, whether you’ve broken a fast, skipped a prayer, or had a full-on meltdown when someone finished the milk (been there)—know that it’s okay. God’s grace is bigger than our mishaps, and He’s not expecting us to get it all right.
As for me, I’m starting my fast again. I’ve restocked the tea cupboard to avoid further temptation, and I’m giving myself grace for the journey. If I’ve learned anything from my upbringing, it’s this: no matter what happens, you just keep calm and carry on.
And maybe next time, I’ll leave the salt and vinegar crisps at the shop.
Have you had any funny or relatable “fasting fails”? Let me know in the comments—I could do with a laugh and a reminder that I’m not alone in this!
Sending blessings to you!
Scherise. X
