The Fasting ZoneSample

DAY FOUR: How to Eat Dinner in a God-Glorifying Way

Make dining your most pleasant times of the day—especially dinner. It should be a time to slow down, relax, and gather with family and friends to enjoy the food and fellowship. The atmosphere at mealtime should be peaceful, pleasant, and joyful.

Turn off the television. Begin your meal with a blessing, and then pause and consider how thankful you are. Always keep the conversation pleasant, and never use the dinner table as a time to reprimand your children or discuss stressful topics for yourself or your children. Never argue or complain at the table, but instead choose to compliment, encourage, tell funny or entertaining stories, and simply relax and fellowship with one another.

At restaurants I commonly hear families arguing, complaining, and fussing with one another. Realize that when you are stressed, you can’t digest as well and are more prone to develop heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and gas. If you are angry, upset, or just irritated, then wait to eat. When families sit down to a meal together, parents are given a chance to reconnect with their children.

Make it a point to create a pleasant environment at mealtime, and if arguments or complaints begin, redirect the conversation to wholesome, pleasant topics.

Focus Thought

When you sit down to eat, take time to thank God and to meditate on all His goodness and provision. Release any negative emotions, bless the food, and then begin to eat.