How to make fasting feel like a consecration, not a prison.
Fasting, a popular activity amongst people of faith, sparks some subconscious dread. However if you dread fasting, you’re probably doing it wrong or doing the hunger strike version of it, so here’s how to do it right.
#1: It’s Not About The Food
Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
When people hear fast, they hear food restriction. However, examples of fasting in the bible only mention the abstinence from food as a side note and not the main activity. When Jesus fasted, he was empowered to begin his ministry, when Moses fasted he received the tablets containing the commandments, when Daniel fasted, he was empowered to perform ten times better than his peers. When people fasted in the bible, they didn’t set times for starting or breaking. They were just so consumed with finding God that food became unimportant to them.
The goal is not to stay away from food. The goal is to be empowered and sharpened in the Spirit and to find God. This is a big mindset change that helps with fasting.
#2: Stay Engaged
Stay engaged and busy or else you start thinking of the things you are trying to deprive yourself of. Start your day with the biggest tasks on your list so that you are busy and not constantly checking time.
#3: Focus On God
If you’re feeling hungry, tired or tempted, remember that God is the source of your strength and not whatever you are abstaining from. You are not trying to twist God’s hand here. The goal is not to showcase your suffering to God. You’re trying to show him that he matters more than things you enjoy by dedicating the time you spend on them to him. If you see it as a religious obligation and not a lover’s retreat, fasting becomes a burden.
#4: Actually Spend Time With God And Be Conscious Of His Presence
E shock you? Many people who go on a fast are not even fasting, they are on a hunger strike. They only pray in the morning and when they want to break their fast. “God bless this food in Jesus name amen. It’s like saying you and bae are going on a 3-day vacation at a resort. You eat breakfast and lunch together but spend the rest of the days apart. Are you really on vacation together? If your video game bae gives up a whole weekend of games to spend time with you then they have fasted from games for you.
The time you would have spent doing what you love is what you rededicate to God. This says I love you more than blank. Blank being whatever it is you’re giving up.
#5: What To Do During A Fast
Apart from running away from food, most people are quite blank on what they should do during the rest of the day. Well, number one. Don’t binge-watch Netflix. When you decide to fast, God notices you setting time aside for Him and he honors it by giving you extra special attention so use it well.
Ask Him questions, Study the bible, talk with him about the biggest, the littlest or the randomest of things. If you’re feeling bored, watch a sermon, write a letter to God, write a poem or song like David, listen or dance to some worship music. Read a bible story and imagine walking the earth then. Ask God about His day or what he’s up to. In essence, get to know God.
What other tips help you during your time of consecration? Let’s know in the comments.
#SoulAndSpirit provides enlightenment at the intersection of spirituality and religion. This edition dishes out some fasting do’s, don’ts and how to’s.
