Freedom Not Frustration

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:16-18

When is the last time you fasted? Have you ever fasted for Christ? Fasting is a great tool that God commands us to do from time to time. It is a way to gain the ultimate clarity and allows us to better hear from God.  

Fasting is not a punishment. It is a gift. In his acclaimed book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says that the goal of fasting is not frustration, but freedom. It seeks to establish that the desires of our flesh are not in control of our lives. Fasting is a matter of exchanging one form of hunger for another.  

Fasting is a word many shy away from because they think it is something they cannot do. But we all can do it. And as believers, we all should do it. God wants to see if we can give up something that we think you need or have made an idol, and trade that for time spent with Him.  

When you fast, you will gain freedom. You will better understand that what you need is not some earthly thing. It is not food or water. It is not a hobby or an addiction. What you need is God. And there is nothing more freeing than knowing that God is the only thing we need on this earth.

If you haven’t in a while (or ever), it might be time to fast. Giving something up to give time to God might just be the best decision you’ve made in a long time. Just try it and watch how God speaks to you and what He will do in your life. I dare you to give it a try!