Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:11 – 12

From the Daniel Fast–I recently had one of those mornings when I woke up feeling irritable and groggy. I had a massive headache and felt like I’d been hit by a train. All morning long, I carried around a “woe is me” attitude. After a few hours of this self-inflicted misery, I finally sat down and opened my Bible to 1 John 4:7 – 16, the passage in which the apostle John writes so eloquently about God’s love for us and how we are to love one another. Lord God, I know trials are part of life and that you use them to help me grow. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances. My whole outlook changed within a matter of minutes I no longer felt sorry for myself In fact, I wasn’t even thinking about myself at all Instead, my heart was lifted and encouraged as I thought about God and his amazing love.

God’s love is mind-boggling. It’s hard to understand why he chooses to pour out his grace and mercy upon such imperfect, stubborn, and rebellious people. But, thankfully, he does! God loved us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sins Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible for us to experience the full extent of God’s love. However, this love isn’t given to us for our enjoyment alone. God pours his love into our lives so that we might share it with others.

I closed my Bible and realized what my real problem was. I had a severe case of tunnel vision. Tunnel vision, from a medical standpoint, is the loss of peripheral vision—or side vision—which means we see only what is directly in front of us. Just because I didn’t feel well, I’d lost all ability to see anyone else’s needs. My gaze was limited to me, myself, and I.

Even though my headache didn’t go away for several hours, my vision improved immediately after reading the truth of God’s Word He showed me that it’s impossible to love people when I can’t even see them And to see them, I have to stop focusing on myself. When life gets you down and you feel your vision narrowing, spend a few minutes with God Turn your attention to him Your peripheral vision will return, and you’ll be free to share God’s love with those around you. Father, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in my own life that I become oblivious to the needs of the people around me. Help me to humble myself so that I can share your life-changing love.

Testimony about Daniel Fast:

During the fast, I really sought the Lord’s direction for ministry. I have a passion for youth but wasn’t sure where God wanted me to serve. One day my son went on a field trip and picked up a brochure he thought I would like. It was information on gangs. As I read the brochure, my heart broke for those kids. Then it hit me—I needed be involved in urban youth ministry. I told the Lord I would go wherever he wanted to take me, even if it meant uprooting and moving my whole family. Before the fast, that was a big no way. We did move, and God has opened up a whole new mission field for us among friends and family members. My new job, which is in the “bad area” of town, puts me right in the thick of gang activity. Murders are frequent, and most of them are gang related. Despite these challenges, we are seeing God at work. I wouldn’t have experienced any of these blessings if I hadn’t been listening to God through prayer and fasting. — D. OLTMAN

Verses for additional study:

Matthew 22:37 – 39

Philippians 2:3 – 4 1

Peter 4:8