Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Reasons for Spiritual Refreshing
Intentional fasting is physical, emotional and spiritual. It is a resting period. It is the willingness of the individual to focus their attention for yielding a greater good. There are different reasons that you wish to call a “fast.” For instance, physically, a person may want to rid body of chemical impurities. On the other hand, emotionally, it can be a time of reflection; self-evaluate. Spiritually, a person may fast to draw closer to God. Whatever the reason, it can be healthy for the mind, body, soul and spirit.
Close My Door – Fasting
Close my door! Would you believe fasting is one of the most restful times? When my children were younger, I had time-out sessions. Read a book. Sit quietly. It is time-out for all. Actually, I would hang a sign on the bedroom door, that read, “MY TIME. DO NOT DISTURB.” Those little sessions rejuvenated my mind and body. Even though, I did not name those sessions “fasting,” that is actually what I was doing.
In today’s society, sometimes people make too much noise about how to fast. The stress can inhibit or impede the needed rest for the mind, body, soul and spirit. An example of this is in the scriptures of Matthew 9:14 and Luke 5:33. Just as then, so it is now. Thus, if I fast out of tradition, what is really the end result? How healthy is fasting out of tradition if its purpose does not benefit the individual.
Confusion About Fasting
In my earlier years of learning to fast with a group, felt burdensome. Even if, it was well-meaning, it was laborious. Reading the scriptures about fasting and listening to the Holy Spirit, is where I find the “joy of fasting.”
First, I learned to ask, “Why am I fasting? What is it that I want from God? Am I willing to trust God for His timing?” In this way, the stress of fasting lessened. Instead, I had a purpose for fasting – accepting God’s will for the outcome was most important.
Second, fasting was to step away from those things that occupied my free or choice time. For example, watching too much TV. Yes, turning off the television and detaching myself from the phone were great ways for fasting (resting). Replacing these moments and spending them with God was empowering. My bedroom door and walks in the park became empowerment zones. Yes, the sign on my door changed! “Do not disturb. Having a moment with Jesus.” Fasting gave me opportunities to read the Word, pray for learning about fasting, and times to just lay quietly “with God.”
Claiming Your Power of Renewal and Refreshing
Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you about fasting- your place of empowerment. The teaching of Jesus was against rituals that impede your spiritual progress (Mathew 6:1). Fasting is one your rituals that Jesus spoke to. Doing such things to please others takes away your power and rewards of resting (fasting).
For more like this, we suggest other blogs for spiritual and refreshing renewal:
You may also like – The Purpose of Fasting: 10 Biblical Purposes for Fasting by Biblica NIV.