I have recently reincorporated fasting into my life and I realized how many benefits I enjoy from the discipline, so here are my top 7 reasons why I fast:
1. It helps addicts
If you have an addictive personality (ahem, like me,) its good to practice spiritual disciplines that are opposite (i.e., addictive nature-discipline: fasting; greedy nature-discipline: generosity.) You get the idea!
2. It slows down the day
Since I have limited energy while fasting, I’m better at choosing what is important to me for that day, like time spent in the Lord’s presence. Also with the limited energy, I usually trade my time working out for a nap or something else relaxing – it’s a great rest day from the workout routine!
3. It makes you very aware of your attitude choices
Most days if I get hangry, I blame it on the lack of food and don’t recognize that my attitude is still my choice regardless of my circumstances. When fasting, I am choosing to be hungry and sacrifice food, so I also choose joy for my attitude as much as possible.
4. It makes you aware of the Lord’s presence
Ok – maybe not physically aware but definitely mentally! Every time I get hunger pains or catch myself reaching for a snack, I am aware of my motives and that the Lord is with me. Many days without fasting, I spend time with the Lord in the morning and then come to the end of my day and realize I never paused or thought twice about what the Holy Spirit was doing in the moment.
5. It reminds you of others less fortunate than yourself
I am choosing to be hungry. There has never been a day in my life that I couldn’t just reach out and grab food if I wanted it. I have no idea what true hunger is and fasting reminds me of my blessings and my need to help others less fortunate.
6. It’s an eating reset
Most of the time I eat whatever I want, which usually ends up being more than I ever need. Through fasting, I remember that a little can go a long way and it shrinks my appetite so I am satisfied from proper portions again.
7. Tomorrow will be here soon
I think about how much I enjoy food and get to really enjoy the simple pleasure of eating again instead of just shoving food into my face as fast as I can to get to the next activity on my schedule. I also think of how much energy I will have again and what I can accomplish with that – maybe go for a run, finish a project I’ve put off, or go play outside with friends or my nieces and nephews. The possibilities are endless.
I think spiritual disciplines are crucial to our walk with the Lord and as we practice spiritual disciplines they turn into true spiritual joys. Jesus tells us, during his sermon on the mount, “When you fast…” Matthew 6:16 not “If you fast.” Fasting was considered a normal activity of his followers, not a righteous act by only the select few.
* I typically do 24 hours fasts midnight to midnight or 12 hour sun up to sun down. I recommend starting out very small and do some research before jumping into it. Read some scriptures on fasting, search the web, read a good book or pamphlet on the topic.
If you are wanting to start new disciplines in your life or learn what disciplines there are, I recommend the “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard J. Foster.
You can purchase it here on Amazon
or
access this free pdf version:
http://cciog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Celebration-of-Discipline-Richard-J.-Foster.pdf
