In dependence upon Him, fasting is one thing Christians do to draw closer to Holy Father God. And fasting can help prepare your body as the potential end of the times of plenty approaches.
Fasting with prayer is a marvelous way to seek God, especially with problems far beyond your scope of ability to accomplish alone. Examples include Ezra 8:22-23 and also Nehemiah chapter 1, the prayer Nehemiah made to God while fasting. Fasting shows God that you’re serious (1 Corinthians 7:5, Joel 2:12).
“19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” – Mark 2:19-20
The Bridegroom, having left to be seated at the right hand of Power, we fast.
It won’t always be this way. The amount of food available today is not even close to normal. These are very clearly the good old days. Fasting can help you prepare for lower caloric intake while improving your overall health. When you get hungry or have sugar withdrawals or toxin dumps (explained briefly below), take this time to pray. Fasting is not simply eating less. Fasting is for seeking the Lord while drawing nigh to God, cleansing your hands from sin, and purifying your heart; that He may draw nigh to you (James 4:8).
Several things happen when we fast. Since the ingestion of nutrients means good health, seldom used immune system functions kick on with a lack of food input. In the long run, this makes you healthier to have these immune responses already up and running before times of stress or shortage. Mankind has been accustomed to short periods without food, and some people continue to in many regions. Our bodies are anthropologically tuned not to eat for short periods, so fasting for a day, say 3 or 4 times a month, can cause natural body weight normalization. Also, if you suffer sugar withdrawal during fasting, the most common symptoms are emotional distress or sadness; this condition can mean that you are sugar dependent. Cut the sugars out.
You don’t want sugar withdrawal, and so-called toxin dumps the first couple of days of a stressful event. That’s when you need to be alert and at your best. Other health benefits include clearing and natural maintenance by our bodies, including the lower GI and colon. Fasting gives much-needed rest and relief to major organs, especially the Kidneys and Liver, while not ingesting preservative-laden foods and other poisons. You may experience toxin dumps or, as some call it, detox or cleanse effects as your organs begin to dump toxins into the bloodstream. These can be hard on you if you don’t recognize what’s happening, but your organs will appreciate it as they get cleaned out. Some symptoms might be awareness problems, dizziness, sadness, and general sluggishness. This is pretty normal the first few times you try it. Your gut needs a rest, and your organs need a break from the chemicals; you’re getting healthy; keep going as your body recovers from years of abuse.
There are a couple of ways to do it. You might try going from supper to supper the next day the first time you do it. You can also go from supper to breakfast two days later, 36 hours or so. A 24 hour fast is more manageable because in the morning and during the day, you see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is supper. But, going a whole waking period without eating, which is the 36 hour fast, is very healthy. For most people, Juice Fasting, intake of fruit and vegetable juices, is not preferred. Water is the way to go as you depend entirely upon God and take in no sugars.
Some things to do include; busying yourself with light physical activities especially walking or low impact aerobics. This will simulate the exertion levels of historically food-gathering people. When you eat again, go slow. Eat something light, and don’t overeat. Eat fruit or some vegetables, something healthy and full of water value and electrolytes. Wait a few hours before eating again. They say your stomach shrinks even in one day, so this is a chance to recalibrate your total food intake levels during meals and in general. Speaking of water value, we get more moisture from our food than we realize. Drink plenty of water while fasting; you should drink much more water than you may be accustomed to having.
Some things to avoid include fasting for the first time on a workday, as your alertness may be lacking. But you do get used to it after a time or two. Don’t use laxatives of any kind; this is counterproductive. Make your body work to get used to it. Also, allow your body to recover naturally if you’ve had a poor diet. Don’t fast if you have challenging exercise or labor planned. This could be dangerous the first time or two, which is another reason you should make yourself used to fasting before you have to by no choice of your own. Watch your attitude and anger as low blood sugar could cause you to say some things to loved ones that you might regret.
Don’t tell anybody you’re fasting, which may be hard to do if you have children. In that case, fast with your wife, as the head of her in Christ, you can declare a fast. Your children won’t bother you about not eating if you get them a pizza or something they like. You can also get them involved and used to skipping a meal or two.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:16-18
Your Father, which sees all things even in secret, will reward you openly. While fasting is an excellent time to go tell people about salvation through Jesus Christ.
We could say that this isn’t medical advice, but we don’t care if you consult your health care provider first or not.
