In The 40 Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation, author Wendy Speake shines a biblical perspective on the true issue behind our sugar addiction, our hearts. Giving up sugar for 40 days often reveals a much deeper longing and desire within our hearts.
Social media feeds, TV ads and society tend to focus solely on physical transformation and weight loss. Very little, if anything, is ever mentioned about what is beneath our sugar addiction. Media and public education do not address heart longings either.
Sugar may or may not be your idol. Maybe it is exercise, social media, shopping, anorexia, alcohol, pornography or binging Netflix. Wendy uses sugar as her main focus but encourages the reader to give up their primary idol. When we do this something amazing and powerful happens.
The premise of the book is simple yet profound: give up sugar (or your idol) for 40 days while turning your attention to the triune God. Be warned, this is not just another diet book. The fast begins with surrendering sugar (or your primary idol) and culminates in receiving more of Christ.
This book sends the reader on a spiritual journey that addresses both physical craving and soul deep hunger in a 40-day devotional format. Wendy’s writing style is accessible, vulnerable, challenging and engaging. Her writing is God led and has practical life application and real honesty. Wendy does not write from a preachy platform. She is sensitive, and her writing is scripturally based.
I confess that this is the second time I picked up the 40-day Sugar Fast.
The first time, I really didn’t engage and didn’t finish the book or the fast. I have struggled with King stomach since about 13 years of age. The invitation from the Holy Spirit this time came when I asked the triune God to help me with what comes out of my mouth, my words and how I say them.
He ever so lovingly and patiently revealed that what I put in, yes uncontrolled eating, is tied to what comes out – mind blown.
This may not be a mind blown kind of moment for some of you, but for me the revelation of the connection between what, when and why I choose to eat and what comes out of my mouth and heart were a turning point.
God will reveal what’s deep inside, if you choose to listen to the Lord and to stop following King stomach for 40 days. I would like to invite you each to “Come and See the man who told me everything I have ever done” (John 4:28a). Come lay sugar (or your personal idol) aside for 40 days. See what God does. He will change you.
The 40 Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation by Wendy Speake is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com.
