40 days – sounds like a long time. But just imagine what would happen if you used those 40 days to give up a negative habit and replace that with something positive. It would be life changing!
The practice of fasting, or giving something up, is meant to help us to refocus on God and look at ways to grow and dedicate ourselves to becoming a better version of ourselves. It might help to think of Lent as being a 40-day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart.
But, think about this; don’t just give something up… do something for Lent. It’s the perfect time not only to give up bad habits, but also to form new, good-for-you habits – habits that can extend beyond the 40 days of Lent. Give something up, eliminate a bad habit from your life, and then fill that gap intentionally.
When I understood the concept of replacing the negative with a positive, Lent became more meaningful and more personal. I was no longer giving something up that really didn’t make a difference. There are a couple of things that I am giving up for Lent. I have committed to stop complaining. I have been feeling stressed and negative about life and I have been expressing that negativity. For 40 days, I will strive to complain less and focus more on the positive. Imagine what can happen to those around me!
The other thing I will be giving up is a habit of wasting what downtime I have. I realized that I go to my phone when I am waiting, when I have a few minutes between errands or meetings, late at night, etc. Instead of wasting time, I am committing to take that time to put down my phone and to pray and be focused on God. It might be just a short 3 minutes of conversation with God, but there is nothing better for my heart and mind than to spend it with God.
I challenge you to use this 40-day period to become a better version of yourself. It will be a challenge to replace the negative with a positive. But in doing so, you will change your life and your heart. It’s worth it.
Bev Barnes, Communications Ministry Administrative Assistant
