A year later and nothing has changed. I still hate fasting.
But this year I’m trying something different.
What’s the purpose of fasting? To me, there’s two components of a fast.
- Denying your physical needs/temptations so that you can . . .
- Be more intentional about seeking God.
The problem I’ve experienced with myself over the past seven years of fasting is that I spend an overwhelming amount of time focused on #1.
What type of fast am I going to do? Daniel, liquids, water-only? Full, partial? Am I going to incorporate a non-food fast like social media? And then 99% of my fast is focused on trying to find fast-approved recipes, avoiding social media and honoring the fast I’ve chosen.
But what’s the missing piece?
Seeking God.
Whoops.
There’s a lot of intentionality about the type of fast, but none when it came to how I’m going to seek God more. How do I always lose sight of that? I have no idea, but it’s so easy to let what you’re fasting completely overshadow why you’re fasting.
The hope is that what you’re fasting provides more margin in your life to seek God. Whether that be an extra meal during the day or time saved not on social media or watching TV. But, more than I care to admit, God doesn’t generally get that extra time.
Which is why I’m reverse fasting this year.
What’s a reverse fast?
Instead of focusing on #1 first, I’m going to focus on #2. Reverse the priorities. Instead of figuring out what I’m not going to eat, I’m going to figure out how to seek God more. How can I give him more of my day?
So this year, I’ve decided to do the following:
- Morning (15 minutes): Read a devotional from My Utmost For His Highest. Marinate on it.
- Lunch (30 minutes): Come home for lunch (no eating out). Before eating, spend this time praying for people in my life.
- After Work (30 minutes): 15 minutes of personal prayer/worship. 15 minutes of listening for God’s voice.
- Before Bed (15 minutes): Read from my chronological reading plan.
And I won’t be doing any type of food-related fast.
Instead, I’ve looked at my normal daily routine and identified areas that waste time. So instead of food, I’ll be fasting from these time wasting activities. Time I can then give to God.
- Hitting the snooze button. Seriously, I waste 30 minutes a morning.
- Watching TV shows on Netflix before bed. Easily saves 1 to 1.5 hours.
So there you have it. My reverse fast. I feel this change puts the priority and focus back on the right thing (God).
How about you? What’s been your experience with fasting? How do you structure yours?
I’ve never did a fast as a Christian. And its been years sense I’ve done a fast period. I know that God has been preparing me for this sense November. I’ve come in to scripture that have clearly said to do the Daniel fast. I also like what you’ve said about reverse fast. Makes complete sense to my life as well. I know I will be sitting down to right it out. And make my weekly schedule. I did not do that the whole month of Dec. And its really been chaotic. Righting out time really helps me to prioritize. So thank you for your wisdom. Really good stuff here I will ponder upon. And be praying for you.
In Christ Jessie
Heya Jessie! That’s awesome you feel God leading you to do a Daniel fast. In all honesty, I feel like that’s the best type of fast (one you feel led to).
I’ve added you to my prayer list. Praying God does some big things in your life during your fast!
Alex,
Great post my man. I could not agree more! In many of my past fasts I have concentrated so hard on the food aspect, that I spent little if any time talking with and listening to my Father. I know that He would not be happy with the legalistic approach to fasting that I have had so many times in the past. I pray that we all focus much, much more on our prayer and study time than to whether or not the flatbread we are purchasing has yeast in it or not (and no I did not do that yesterday!) ;-)
Amen to that prayer!
Alex,
This post was so helpful! I’ve focused way too much on the food for the past 2 fasts I’ve tried. I know I miss the point.
For Awakening this year, I plan to cut out sweets and eat more whole foods, but not obsess over it. I will also take Facebook off my phone. I don’t want to know how much time I waste browsing my news feed when I’m bored.
In the past, I have felt like if I don’t fast food, I’m not REALLY fasting. Your post helped put it in perspective … #2 REALLY is the goal!
Stacey!!!
Welcome to the “Focus on the Stupid Stuff” club. ;)
And I’ll be the first to admit what I’m fasting doesn’t align with the model the Bible lays out for us (i.e., fasting from food). Part of me also does feel bad I’m not fasting from food when everyone else around me is.
But I know the food fasts I’ve done the past few years have been sorely ineffective so I’m good with deviating from the norm in hopes of a better outcome.
I’m pretty confident God will be okay with that given my intention is to focus more on Him. ;)
Good to hear from you! Hope all is well in Florida.
This was so awesome to receive because it’s exactly what I felt God leading me to do. Couldn’t have written it better myself. Thanks!!
Hi Christie!
Thankful to hear what God’s been stirring me is the same thing he’s stirring in you!
I pray your fast is incredibly rich and full of God!