After the Fast, What Next? Be Thankful

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? BE THANKFUL

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22, 24 (ESV)

In verse 24 of the scripture we just read it says “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it”. Did God call you to fast? Did you obey this call? If your answer to these questions are ‘Yes’, then know that this verse is a promise for those who responded to His call. So, what happens next after the fast?

It is important to note that our breakthroughs might not all come at once, even though it is also possible that we can all experience it at the same time. Nothing is impossible for God. Like in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit filled all those who were in the Upper Room. However, what if I do not experience my breakthrough immediately, what do I do? Continue to be thankful. As Paul tells us in our scripture today; rejoice, continue praying and give thanks. Even for those who received or will receive their breakthroughs instantly or immediately after the fast, this same text applies to us. God is not done yet, therefore, you don’t want to ‘quench the Spirit’ which God has ignited in you. “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)).

Be led by the Spirit of God. If you feel the spirit leading you to continue with extra days of fasting, obey the Spirit. I recall in 2022 when I was challenged by the Spirit to join a 70-days corporate fast by Potter’s City in Ghana (which I had been avoiding for weeks). After the general fast, I was led to continue for some extra days which I obeyed. It was during that period that the gift of speaking in tongues was unleashed within me. I was so much on fire that I could spend hours before God’s presence; worshipping and praising Him, and not desire anything else. It took days before I felt calm. It was also around that same period that my wilderness journey started. My choices and decisions seemed unreasonable to people around me and they couldn’t help me but condemn me. “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25). God was up to something new in my life, and it was just my brother-in-law (who is a Pastor) and my sister – Monica, together with my wife’s auntie – Tina, who saw it and will call to encourage me in the Lord.

Brethren, keep thanking God even when you have not seen anything shift. “Blessed are those who have not seen, and have yet believed” (John 20:29). God might even take some of you to a different level in your spiritual life like He did to me before unleashing his blessing. Remember, precious metals like gold are tested by fire. Therefore, continue being thankful and praise Him anytime. Listen to gospel tunes to keep your spirit man on fire, read or pray the Psalms always and speak the promises of God daily over your life and the situation. Remember God’s promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:8).

Shalom.