My 2019 Declaration: Whatever is Lovely

Whatever is Lovely…..A Daniel Fast Revelation

I have decided to start every New Year with a spiritual fast. It is a way to detoxify your mind, and open your spirit to God. I am currently half way through The Daniel Fast. The Daniel Fast is based on the book of Daniel in the Bible. While Daniel was in captivity he was offered food from a king who did not worship God. Since the king’s food was blessed by false idols Daniel refused to eat, instead he asked to only be given only foods from seeds. At the end of Daniel’s fast he and everyone who followed the fast were among the strongest men under the king’s rule.

Fasting is more than just going without certain foods. It is way to sacrifice for a period to grow closer to God. It’s actually a beautiful process, one I didn’t necessarily understand before I did my first fast last year. For me once I am past caffeine and sugar withdrawal something wonderful happens. My body feels more at peace, and in the still moments I can feel God’s still voice. During a spiritual fast I also devote more time in prayer and reading God’s word.

(Read about my First Daniel Fast here.)

For the first week of my fast I was tormented by intense dreams. One night I dreamed of an ex-

boyfriend I feel was the love of my life. One night I dreamed about my former television career. One night I had a nightmare that I was severely depressed again, unmotivated, suicidal, sad, and alone. Every morning I woke up in tears, begging to God for answers. Then it came. Everywhere I turned the scripture Philippians 4:6 appeared. It stuck out to me in an online sermon, a sermon a church, the verse of the day on a Bible app I use. Philippians 4:6 was everywhere. I finally turned to the verse:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Everything God? Why would I pray about everything? My prayers are usually of gratitude or heartache or need the for comfort. But everything is well ...everything. Do I pray about my dog? Do I pray about my car that sometimes fails to start? Do I pray about how I’ve lost the hope for romantic love? Do I pray about being overweight? Do I pray that I am scared I will always struggle? Do I pray that about my trust issues? Do I really pray about everything?

In the stillness of my dreams, I heard God say, “Yes, my child everything.”

I read Philippians 4 more and the full message from God came through.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understand will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent of praiseworthy think about such things.” - Philippians 4:7-8

The word lovely danced in my head. It reminded me of one of my favorite Jhene Aiko songs called ‘Eternal Sunshine’ In the music video Jhene recalls a car accident she experienced. In the moment of the devastating crash it is not fear, regret, worry, or panic but it is lovely memories she recalls. She even remembers lovely memories of her brother who died.

God revealed to me that even in life’s greatest pains we have to find the good things, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely. The dreams of my past revealed to me I am still clinging to the painful parts of those memories; the loss, the heartache, the regret. I am still struggling to find the good in the past, my present, and it’s clouding the ability to full embrace the future.

I believe God is calling me to focus on all that is lovely, noble, true, right, admirable,and excellent. And, when I focus on whatever is lovely I won’t have much room for the pain, fear, panic, worry, or regret. Even in my past if I try hard I can see the lovely in so many things.

This is my focus this year. 2019 is the year of whatever is lovely. It is also the year to pray about absolutely everything.

I want the same for all of you. All the readers who make their way on this little blog… I want whatever is lovely for you.

Some days it may be simple like my car starting with no problem. Maybe one day it will be allowing myself to believe in love again. Maybe one day it will be celebrating my best-selling book. Whatever is it is I am sure it will be lovely…