This is Felicia Ferguson with Christian Mix 106, helping you build faith for the journey.
I think every believer would agree that fasting is a spiritual discipline. Because it’s hard. Denying ourselves anything makes the flesh scream in agony. However, we are to live by the spirit, not the flesh, which means every so often, we need to show the flesh who is boss. Some denominations fast at specific times of the year, Lent for example. But fasting can be done at any time, from any thing, and for any duration. The key is the motive for the fast. If you think by fasting that you can bend God to your will, then go ahead and pick up your fork and eat because God is not a vending machine or a genie. Fasting must always focus on God. For maximum effectiveness, wait to fast until you feel the Holy Spirit’s nudge.
According to Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline, the second reason for fasting is to reveal what controls us. In Psalm 69, David wrote, “I humbled my soul with fasting.” He battled pride. Anger, bitterness, jealousy, and other emotions can rise up during a fast. We may rationalize them away, blaming the lack of food on the emotions. But the emotions are still there and still need to be addressed.
The third reason for fasting is to reprioritize our lives, making sure God is number one. When we fast with God solely in mind, then everything else falls into its correct order.
Now, there are many ways to fast. The biblical fast that Jesus and the Old Testament believers followed was abstaining from food or in Daniel’s case, abstaining from certain foods. But modern believers have many options to choose from. Look at your life and where you spend the most time or attention. What do you prioritize over spending time with God? Is it watching television? Is it gaming? Does your significant other or kids come before your devotion time? How much time do you spend doom scrolling on social media? I try to do a social media fast once a year. The length of time varies, but I find every time the fast is over, I’m refreshed and reconnected more fully with God.
If these are too hard, start with something small. Abstain from eating something you love—not for the dietary or health needs, but because it distracts from loving God. I know it may sound silly, but you’ll be surprised at the results when you transfer the joy you get from the activity onto your time with God. But remember, don’t fast out of sheer force of will. Fast because you feel God is calling you to release something for a time and concentrate on him and your relationship.
This is Felicia Ferguson. Thanks for listening to Christian Mix 106.
