Disclaimer: Please consult with your medical doctor before considering fasting
Our walk with the Lord can be challenging when we are distracted by current events, people, food, music, technology, social media, fashion, sports, etc. Fasting is typically associated with Islam because of Ramadan; however, Christians are called to fast as well. Here are strategies I am incorporating into my life to better my spiritual health and most importantly my walk with God.
Embracing Fasting
Did you know that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ commands us to fast? I believe when he spoke about fasting, it wasn’t a suggestion:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:6-18).”
The Lord also tells in Matthew 17:21: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
This means that certain spiritual challenges require not just prayer, but fasting as well.
Jesus also says in John 6:35:
“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. What that means to me is that the closer I get to the Lord Jesus Christ and the more time I spend with him (as opposed to digging in my fridge), I am feeding my spirit, and I do so by reading the word of God, the Bible, praying to the creator and singing and listening to worship music. I feel that the enemy (Satan) can use hunger, food, sugar, and alcohol to condition us to rely on food in challenging times. The poor coping mechanism of emotional eating can make us spiritually, physically, and mentally sick.”
My advice with fasting is to start small! Intermittent fasting happens when you do not eat for a designated period. For example, you may start eating on Wednesday at 12:00 PM and stop eating at 8:00 PM. The following day (Thursday) you begin eating at 12:00 PM. This way, you fast for 16 hours. You can begin with a smaller fasting window for example, 5 or 6 hours. Keep in mind that you can drink as much water as you like during these periods. Within the time you fast hours, you can ask God, some of the deeper questions you have. What should I do with my life? How can I overcome this challenge in front of me? Your focus away from food and onto God will be life-changing.
Afterward, you may have built up the strength to go through the three-day Esther fast (we will talk about that later). The point is, to start where the Holy Spirit calls you to start. Everyone’s approach is different so do what works for you. Fasting helps me see where I am falling short as a believer and also where God is strong. It helps me change the way I think and feel about food and focus on God.
The Physical Benefits are Many:
· Better focus and attention
· Spiritual discipline and increased gratitude
· Increased Insulin Resistance – helps in reversing, managing, and preventing diabetes
· Increase of growth hormones
· The prevention of cancers and Alzheimer's disease
· Boosting your immune system and your energy levels
· Losing body fat
· Reduction of inflammation
· Slowing down the aging process
· Managing high cholesterol
· Improving your metabolism
If you are seeking a new beginning and you need therapy, guidance, and life coaching, speak to me today about starting a New Chapter in your life!
Kevin Ufoegbune
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