My Lessons on Fasting

Fasting is usually taught in relation to food but it can actually be anything we willfully sacrifice for the sake of breakthroughs in an area of our life. It's ultimately our admittance that we need God. For years I did not know this. I fasted for short periods of time in my early days as a Christian but I did not see any benefits. Maybe it was because my eyes weren't yet opened, maybe I did not have enough faith, maybe I wasn't doing it expectantly or had the wrong motives. Or maybe for some of us, food is not that thing we have an issue with. Maybe we run to other things to fill us when we're empty.  

I exempted myself from fasting from food years ago because my blood sugar tends to run low. I, therefore, decided I didn't need to fast. But then the Lord laid it on my heart to fast from wine as I had been going through a difficult period of sifting. Although I did not have a problem with alcohol and didn't understand what this would accomplish, I was desperate for more of Him in my life. I had tasted healing and wanted more. I couldn't dare compromise my healing with disobedience. Even more recently I felt a fast was in order once again. This time, it took a lot of prayer to find out what needed temporary removal from my life. The results were simple-- Facebook and sweets. 

For those of you who are like I was, struggling to find the value in fasting, I feel should share my lessons. Please don't walk away thinking I am presenting myself holier than you or expecting recognition for my fasting. My personal struggle with pride would ensure this stayed between me and Him, except that I felt His call to write it and share it. That being said, here is what I have learned from fasting:

1. Fasting helps us realize just how much we rely on things to fill us when only He can. It opens our eyes to the distractions in our lives. We tend to rely on a lot of things in this world to satisfy and fill us even in the smallest of ways, causing us to forget how much we need God. We don't think these little things mean much in our hearts or lives until we do without them. But God calls believers to a life of being set apart, of reliance on Him to fill us. And yet we so easily get caught up doing what unbelievers do-- relying too much on our creature comforts that we have no ability to focus on God or that we lose desire for Him. Many of these things we rely upon are unnecessary, while others may be overly used or abused. Anything that keeps us from putting Him first or focusing on Him is an idol. Awareness has nothing to do with it. We can have tons of idols and not even know it. It doesn't make it anything less than idolatry. 

All of those things will fail to completely fill us as we all have a longing for more that only He can satisfy. We were created to be companions with Him. We were made to need Him in our empty places. God is not one to be manipulated or play along with our games when we just want Him to give us our way. He is so wise and holy that our minds can't comprehend it. He deserves our respect our primary focus. We ought to be looking to serve Him, not the other way around. It does us good to get some of those things out of the way so we can be sensitive to His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, in order to do so. 

2. Fasting isn't about being miserable but finding our happiness in the right place, the unchanging God whose greatness is beyond our full comprehension. Our faith is increased as our eyes are opened to new things. Perspective and vision changes as we begin to pray more, seek God more. He loves it when we are sincere about seeking Him. He wants to open our eyes, but we have to be willing. We begin to see His hand in everything and understand His goodwill towards us. We find more satisfaction in God than ever before as we surrender things willfully for the sake of getting more of Him. As His love begins to fill us, we realize how foolish we were to think anything else could.

3.Fasting changes our appetite and creates a new hunger. I have noticed that I want that thing I fasted from even less than I did before when I have surrendered it to Him for a period of time. It doesn't satisfy me like it once did, therefore it doesn't have the hold on me it once did. Even if that thing wasn't abused before, the idea that I want it less is a positive thing. Habits change and cravings change for the best as we surrender them to the Lord, who replaces it with a hunger for Him. 

4. Fasting helps us determine to obey God over our fleshly cravings. It requires us to say "no" to ourselves as we say "yes" to God. And we have to rely on His strength to get through the fast. Don't dare believe for one minute that we can do anything worth doing on our own. Anytime we try, we'll come out dry. A fast requires constant reliance on God for saying "no" as well as any results it produces.

Are you struggling to hear the Lord? Do you find yourself so distracted that you can't focus on Him? Do you hunger and thirst for closeness to Him? Or does something have a hold on your mind or life to cause you to believe you need it? Do you feel imprisoned and desire to be set free from any bondage? Well, my dears, I bet a fasting is in order. That thing you find most comfort in is often the place to start. Let Him show you what deliverance and healing is like...offer it up.