I am well aware of the preconceived notions about fasting because I held them as my own prior to this class. I know that our thwarted American view of food and our dietary obsessed culture causes one to worry about someone who decides to give up food. We wonder if they are anorexic, or we are concerned that it might cause serious health complications, or we worry they might starve. And I'm not judging anyone here because those were beliefs that I held too. However, I have now experienced and changed my opinions towards fasting. Here I am to blog about it! (Which means I survived)
Americans especially are subject to our stomachs. Once he or she starts to growl, we are done, we need food immediately. We bow to every whim our stomach demands. We feed it when it wants, what it wants, and how much it wants. We are completely dependent on the demands of our stomach.
But what if we weren't? The reality of our stomach is that we condition it to feel hungry every time we feed it. Our stomach is so not in control of us, we just need to learn to regain the control of it. We were made to control those desires.
Fasting is a direct disobedience to the demands of of our material body, and it is direct obedience to fueling the spiritual being. Fasting can very easily be misused when other benefits become elevated over the spiritual. The sole purpose of fasting needs to be "abstaining from natural foods for a spiritual purposes." (Foster, 48) In fact, Foster defines fasting as "feasting on the Word of God." Fasting is a way to be reminded that we are sustained not by food, but by scripture. It causes us to crave God and His care for us. When we are neglected something that it is so necessary to our survival, it truly elevates God's goodness when He provides for us in our deficit. It is amazing to realize that I can give up something so crucial and still be upheld by the Word of God alone. For me, that is more than enough reason to try fasting. Of course I want to know and experience the goodness of God!
I also want to clarify that fasting can have physical health benefits as well. I know for myself, I eat and drink so much junk, that I am sure my body appreciates a break from that. Fasting for 2 or 7 days gives the body a chance to empty itself of all the impure toxins and start fresh for when you start to eat again. This is also symbolic, because as we are emptying ourselves of all the nasty, we are refilling with all the goodness of the presence of God. Wow! Now who wouldn't try fasting?
DISCLAIMER: This is again for strictly spiritual purposes. Anything else, and it is no longer fasting. It is still not healthy to starve yourself.
I was always curious about fasting, and was actually grateful for this kind of mandatory chance to try it. The way it was described in Foster's book and in class caused me all the more curiosity and desire to try it. But I knew I had to take baby steps. So I decided that I would start at 7 pm Monday night until 7 pm Tuesday night. I figured I could try this once a week and eventually extend it a couple of days until I could do a whole week. I did not give up my coffee on Tuesday morning even though that breaks the rule of a fast. That is my confession for the week.
But other than that, I followed through on my fast. It was such a challenge to avoid the candy in the candy dish, the brownies on the stove, and the snacks in my cupboard. But every time I thought of these temptations, I prayed and took a gulp of water. I used the time that I would normally be in lunch to read my Bible. I read different sections, so I had a well-balanced meal of scripture. What I found, is that I never really felt hungry. I was never overwhelmed with my need to eat something. Looking back, I know that God was providing for me.
Don't get me wrong, I was so grateful to be able to eat dinner on Tuesday night. Eating and snacking is still very important to me, but I did learn that it does not have to control me. Fasting is definitely something I will try again in the near future. I am hoping that it continues to have better and better results and it draws me closer and closer to God. I'm telling you, it sounds scary and radical. I am well aware of that. But the benefits and the results truly make it all okay.
Thank you for reading today!
Many blessings,
Alyssa
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