“Don’t fill up on bread,” I warn myself when dining out. Then my waiter brings a basket of freshly baked rolls, glistening with melted butter, and I forget my earlier caution. A blended aroma of honey, vanilla, and yeast drifts under my nose, as I raise the bread to my mouth. One bite into the warm, pillowy dough and my eyes nearly roll back. As my taste buds savor the last bite, I discover that I am full.
God has given us food to both enjoy and sustain our bodies. But at times He calls us away from our daily sustenance so we can more fully engage with Him. This is especially challenging for me, a self-proclaimed foodie who relishes restaurant menus like they’re “hot off the press” bestsellers. However, I answer God’s call, metaphorically turning my plate over because I desire continued spiritual growth.
For the last three years, my church community has fasted once a month for twenty-four-hour intervals. Fasting is not a punishment inflicted on our bodies or a measure of our piety. Instead, God invites us as believers to give up something that is good for something even greater. We step away from the rhythms of our routines to pay more attention to His Word, deepening our relationship with Him.
The Gospels record Jesus’s forty-day stay in the wilderness, where He spent time alone with God and prepared for ministry through prayer and fasting. When Satan challenged Him to satisfy His hunger supernaturally, Jesus refused. Instead, He demonstrated His dependence on God with these words: “Man must not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4).
When I fast, I agree with Jesus and recognize God as the ultimate source of both my physical and spiritual needs. Like our Savior did, I communicate my desire for the fulfillment of God’s will by positioning myself to be in fellowship with Him, without distractions (Luke 4:1). And when I do, He fills my heart and satisfies my soul in ways that physical food and earthly activities cannot (John 6:51).
It may seem counterintuitive, but when we regularly abstain from certain habits to pursue God, He refreshes us and refuels our passion for serving Him. We also grow more aware of the Spirit’s presence and more readily approach God in humility, relying on His strength to overcome sin in our lives.
What are the things that compete for our undivided attention above God? Is it social media or television? How about our smartphones or the time we invest in our relationships? Perhaps food is the culprit. Whatever the distraction, Jesus calls us to focus less on things that bring temporary fulfillment and more on Him, the true Bread of Life (John 6:48–50). He has many good things in store for us—things far more satisfying than any activity and better than the most delicious bread.
Fasting has always been hard for me do apply. I am trying to be more focused this year so am taking some baby steps in joining in with the fast our church is doing this month. I appreciate that our pastor gave us several ways to fast as not everyone is the same. My choice for the week was to give up my caffeine – one of my favorite things and my body is very addicted to it. I’m on day 3 and, aside from the headaches, proud of myself for letting myself be a bit uncomfortable and joining with our congregation in prayer. I truly believe the more that participate the stronger we are as we lift up each other, our pastor and our prayers for our city.
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Thank You Jesus.. Fill me up Holy Spirit, in Jesus name Amen
Fasting, is a preparation for days ahead. Deeper roots through relationship focus on and in Jesus.
My daughter, with the Holy Spirit’s help, fully recovered from an eating disorder! This has been 15 years ago now. She chooses to fast with things other than food, or maybe just a specific special food that has too much power in her life. I hope this is helpful to some. God can do all good things!
For the first time, I understand fasting. Great news!!!
Thanks for sharing the battles with eating disorders. What a disease and what strength to discuss here. Our church is starting a 21 day fast and a family member with an eating disorder just came to stay with me bc of struggles with depression and anxiety bc of all this COVID crazy,so I am praying for balance. I am fasting from sweets only and was going to do full day fasts but I don’t think I will now. They don’t need another trigger at this time. It’s so good that God looks on our heart ♥️. The reminder is to worship God above all else so I’m going to focus on that, knowing Gods timing is perfect and he will use this time for his glory and my refinement.
Amen Stephanie.