If you’ve come to Substance in the last few years, you’ll know that we start out every new year with a season of fasting. Of course, nobody “has to” fast; but, when you understand what the Bible teaches on fasting, you’ll realize: we “get to” fast. It’s actually an incredible opportunity.
In both the Old and New Testaments, God powerfully rewarded those who fasted. Quite simply, fasting gives us supernatural advantages in living life. For example, the book of Isaiah says: Those who fast get healing (Isa.58). Jesus said: Those who fast get Power over demonic oppression (Mk 9). Again, Isaiah said: Those who fast will live like kings: “You’ll ride on the heights of the land” (Isa.58) When Ezra fasted, God gave protection over his kids & possessions. When Daniel fasted God gave him understanding (Dan.9). When Eliazar Fasted God gave him a woman! (Some of you Men suddenly started taking notes). When Jesus started his earthly ministry, one of the 1st things he did was fast. And don’t misunderstand me: Fasting won’t make God love you more. You can’t earn your way into heaven. However, like the author of Hebrews reminds us: “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
So, why then are people scared to do this discipline? Well, like any discipline, if you do it as an obligation to earn love from God, it will feel oppressive. But fasting is also a discipline that reveals your true priorities.
And keep in mind: Fasting doesn’t merely mean: abstaining from food. You can fast almost anything. In the truest sense, fasting is a process of abstaining from something for the purpose of worship, prayer, and self-discipline. For example, my wife will often fast sweets, desserts and candy. Other people fast movies, t.v. shows, or even coffee. (I realize that I just made a lot of you really nervous!) But trust me: Fasting is one of the most amazing spiritual disciplines that God gives us. It’s a mirror that reveals the truest state of our self discipline. It’s one of the few disciplines which reveals the true state of our self-denial muscles. And if that sounds scary, consider your alternatives: Crisis and moral failure also reveal this. So, we have a choice: Preventative Humility vs. Humiliation.
So how do I participate? Well, quite simply, pray about what God would have you fast & simply join in, January 5th through the 25th! Spiritual disciplines like this can actually be quite fun when you’re doing it alongside a big group of people. Also, here’s a link to many of our past messages on fasting. We’ve taught over 8 messages on fasting in the past two years. They are sure to get you super excited about your fast.
But allow me to get practical. Every year people ask me for tips on fasting. And for those of you who’ve never fasted before, here are a few tips to making this a fun experience:
(1). Start out with short fasts (e.g., skip lunch): Once you understand how it affects your body, slowly extend them to experiment: When I do 24 hour fasts, I start by eating lunch, skipping dinner/breakfast/lunch… and then break it with dinner the next night. Many people think short fasts like this are harder than extended fasts. After a few days, hunger pangs tend to subside.
(2). When you fast, do it with Friends! It helps to process your experience with other people. It also keeps you encouraged while you fast!
(3). Give yourself extra margin and rest. When you fast, plan on going to bed early.
(4). Drink lots of water: You can’t survive long without water. I prefer Gatorade (for electrolytes). And some people drink juice.
(5). Could fasting be Dangerous? Potentially. It can also be incredibly healthy too. It takes about 21 days before starvation symptoms set in; so, don’t worry that you’re going to die after a 24 hour fast. If pregnant/nursing/diabetic/etc, get counsel before any extended fast. If you’re really worried about sickness, etc., do a fruit & vegetable fast and skip everything else. Lastly, if you have a history of eating disorders, get some advice on how to apply this with the right motives.
(6). When fasting, stay in an Attitude of Worship (Isa. 58). It sounds obvious but, remember that you’re worshipping God when you do this. So, if all you do is whine the whole time, you’re defeating the whole purpose! Keep in mind, God responds powerfully when we seek him (Heb.11:6).
(7). Make a fasting Calendar: I love to have variety when I fast. So when I map out my 21 days… I almost never do “juice only” for 21 days straight. Often, I like to mix it up. For example, I’ll do 4 days of fruits and vegetables only (a.k.a., a Daniel Fast), then a juice only day, then a free day. For me, I’ve found that this kind of variety helps me stay in a worshipful attitude more. Having a “free-day” also helps if you have some sort of inescapable hosting situation (like a birthday) where you’re making your guests feel awkward by staring at them while they eat. But experiment for yourself. Remember, this should be a fun yet challenging experience.
(8). Ask your family to participate: My kids have participated almost every year. One of them fasted video-games. Another fasted sweets and their precious iPhone. Use this as an opportunity to share your faith with your own family.
Lastly, at the website “God-First Life” you’ll find a few resources on how to plan out your fast: http://godfirstlifenetwork.com/free-resources/awakening/fasting-resources
But one thing is for sure: This can be your best year yet, if it’s your best year spiritually. So don’t miss out. Let’s do this together.
