If anything is costing you your peace, it costs too much! 

Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately needed guidance? Or you wanted clarity on why certain situations are happening in your life? Or you feel anxious and just want to experience peace? Or you needed God to confirm something? 

Well this is where I was last week. I was in a place of complete desperation to hear God for confirmation and clarity. I was super anxious and felt no peace at all. 

Do you want to know what one of my peace stealers were? 

Social media…

I don’t care how confident and self-assured you are, everyone has those moments where you compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. Even though you know that you shouldn’t, you may quietly wonder why you’re not yet a millionaire, vacationing every other month, getting married or buying your new home. 

Come on…let’s be real. We’ve all been there! 

I was sick of it and most importantly, I knew that in order to experience the peace, clarity and confirmation that I was looking for that I needed to get drastic. I needed to eliminate anything that was stealing my peace – which included social media. 

So I decided to fast and praise. I made a decision to not only fast physically from meals but I decided to fast from social media for a few days. 

Not only that, but I also unfollowed any account that was a part of the “noise” in my life. I love everyone but not at the cost of my peace. What you listen to and what you watch is coloring the condition of your heart. What I mean is that what you choose to expose yourself to will influence how you think. 

I was on a mission for peace and clarity. And you know what? 

I got it! I got complete confirmation and revelation that I was seeking God for. I couldn’t hear this before because my life lacked peace. I walked away with a grateful spirit and even realized why certain things in my life had not yet manifested. Truthfully, I needed an attitude check. 

Too often we want to “fix” the outside fashions of our lives like our weight, finances, relationship status, or address without doing the work on the inside. All of that will come once you become the woman you need to be to experience it and maintain it. It’s one thing to obtain success but another to maintain it. 

Maybe you are in a space where you need to get clarity. Maybe you feel a little depressed or anxious after scrolling through social media. Maybe you need things to change in your life, like yesterday. Maybe you want God to speak to your heart about your circumstances. 

Then I suggest you go on a social media fast or maybe a TV fast or maybe even a total phone fast. Find out what’s bringing “noise” into your life and eliminate it for a few days. It’s darn near impossible to gain clarity when you’re not a peace or when you have so many different voices and images filing your mind. 

While you fast, it’s important to exude gratitude. Be grateful for all that has been and what’s to come. Take the time to do a self-examination too. Maybe you need an attitude adjustment and that’s why you have not been promoted yet. Maybe you need to forgive someone and that’s why you have not experienced peace. 

Keep a journal during your fast to write down what you think God is trying to reveal to you. Take 20 minutes every day during your fast to sit in silence with your journal. Ask God whatever questions you have and sit in silence in order to listen to what is being said to you. Even if you don’t know if what you’re hearing is God, write it down anyway. Sometimes you’ll hear one word or someone’s face may cross your mind – write it down. 

Wherever you are today, you don’t have to be there next year. God is so committed to your success but are you? If you really want something, you’re going to have to go after it with all of your heart. Your peace, answered prayers, success and legacy are totally worth it. 

Get quiet and see what you couldn’t see before. 

XOXO, 

Maria I. Melendez
Founder & CEO
@embraceherlegacy