3 Day Challenge - What Habit Keeps You From Spending Time With God? - aifc

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.

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

  • The beginning of each year in February
  • Mid-Year courses commence in July

Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.

We also offer two modes of study:

  1. Seminar Blended Mode - only 13 face-to-face days per year
  2. Online Supported Mode - study online only from anywhere

A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.

Contact aifc

Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm