3 Day Challenge – What Habit Keeps You From Spending Time With God?
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]
Recently a weekly Devotional presented by Eden, our Student Services Manager, to the aifc National Office staff resulted in our collective agreement to take part in a ‘3 Day Challenge’ to the theme of, “What habit keeps you from spending time with God?” The challenge had us fasting for three days those things that took place of our time with God. What ever it may be or look like we were determined to cast down our idols.
What we had to do: Identify what takes up the time we could be spending with God and fast that thing or multiple things for 3 days. Below are the questions that had to be answered and sent to me via email at the end of the fast.
SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS
What is your personal challenge?
Social Media platforms were fasted the most. On average staff members found themselves giving up personal time on Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram and Snapchat. Gaming was also avoided for that three days. One staff member found herself getting up in the mornings particularly to check Facebook to see what is happening in the world.
How did you feel during the fast?
Day 1: People were generally feeling compelled to check their social media profiles and news feeds feeling like they were missing out on on invites, opportunities, news and social engagement.
Day 2: The self imposed restriction made it difficult not to think about checking social media, particularly for those who have family overseas with which they regularly communicate through Facebook.
Day 3: We were all glad this was the last day. One member found the challenge easier than the others as she doesn’t dedicate much time at all to social media, although she felt that time could be better spent with God. The rest of us realised that it was harder than we initially thought to give up social media. Particularly when it has become part or our procrastination time or part of our daily routine. One member felt that there was a definite addiction, while another stated that she felt it would take more than three days to completely break away from the habit.
What are some of the difficulties faced?
Some of us felt disconnected from family and friends. Unexpected anxious feelings experienced by one staff member for not being able to see what’s happening within her social circles. Another staff member felt that prompting of the Holy Spirit to spend more time reading her bible.
How do you feel after the fast?
We became aware how habit quickly becomes addiction. There was the realisation that we can become obsessive and addicted over the little things in every day life that take our time away from God. Some of us felt reminded to be more dilligent in our Christian walk.
Has anything changed?
Staff members unanimously felt that they had more time and felt less anxious. They were also able to get more of the important things done and spend quality time in God’s presence.
THE OVERALL RESULT
It looks like the chalenge was successful. For most of us social media is here to stay. However, the staff has a heightened awareness of the time they could be spending with God and mindfully make more time to read the word and spend time in his presence.
Are you using time wisely? Will you try the 3 Day Challenge to see what a difference it can make in your life?
GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR TIME
There are so many distractions in the high tech lives and fast paced society we live in vying for our attention. Christians need to spend time; in prayer, in God’s presence and they need to reguarly read the bible in order to grow. If you don’t have a bible visit The Bible Gateway to read it in various versions and languages online.
Blessings,
Sandra Ciminelli
Social Media Co-ordinator at aifc.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Related posts
Created in the Image of God
Created: Who Tells Us Who We Are? Part 1 of the Created for Tov series: Six movements in God’s story of human flourishing. We live in a culture that gives us extraordinary freedom to express ourselves, yet often leaves us with the exhausting task of first deciding who that self is. We are encouraged to…
Biblical Hope Is Not Toxic Positivity — and the Difference Matters
Biblical Hope Is Not Positive Thinking With a Bible Verse There are moments in the Christian community that are well-intentioned and yet somehow wounding. Someone shares something heavy — grief, burnout, a marriage in crisis, depression that has lasted years — and the response arrives quickly: “God has a plan.” “Just keep praying.” “You need…
Build the Highway: Preparing Pathways for People to Return to God
Build the Highway: Preparing Pathways for People to Return to God There is a kind of need that is hard to ignore. We see it in the exhaustion of leaders, the anxiety of young people, the grief sitting quietly beneath the surface of families, the loneliness in our communities, and the spiritual confusion many people…
2026 Is Approaching Half Time: Making the Second Half Count
Making the Second Half Count Ancient Paths, Deep Flourishing, and the Life-Giving Way Forward It’s almost half way through 2026—how did that happen? The year that once stretched out before us with possibility is already approaching its midpoint. For some, the first half of the year has brought momentum, clarity and growth. For others, it…
