I just wanted to say, on the subject of ill health and fasting, that Baha’u’llah goes much further than providing an exemption from fasting for those that are sick. In question 93 of the Aqdas he says “In times of ill health it is not permissible to observe these obligations.” I fasted when I should not have and triggered a radical worsening of my condition. Of course, you are the one who must interpret these laws for your own situation; do be careful. Given your struggles with food I can easily imagine how the fast would be a rich though difficult time. I think it helped me with my own eating issues.

bless you,
Priscilla

“Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.”

While it didn’t completely alleviate the feeling of failure, it was a bit of a comfort knowing it wasn’t black and white. Thanks for stopping by!

http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-eating-praying-and-exercise-after.html

I found this Faith in 1950 and have found it to be more forgiving than we are of ourselves. My prayers are with you.

Thank you so much for your comment. I think for me, this year, my feeling of failure was absolutely necessary so that I could both realize how important it is to me (therefore, clarifying my faith questions) and pushing me into a place where I realize that I want to be able to completely do it in the future (taking care of health issues). I have no idea if, in the second part, I will actually ever be completely successful, but it is a motivator, for sure. The fact is that my outward failure made this Fast (for me) incredibly important and spiritual for me, and I can’t help but feeling so blessed for it, despite how miserable I was feeling during it.

Thank you again, most sincerely.

It is, indeed! I didn’t think I’d ever find something that so closely matched with what I had already believed. Thank you for your comment!

David

Thank you It’s been an interesting year so far.

~ LF