Intermittent fasting is all the rage these days. I have considered this type of fasting for health reasons, but I was compelled to participate in an extended fast last week for spiritual reasons.

The Cambridge Learner's Dictionary defines fast as:

to eat nothing, or much less than you usually eat for a period of time

I wanted to pass along some of my thoughts and personal reflections on fasting.

Before You Start The Fast

You should ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are you fasting for?
   Knowing the reason why you are fasting will keep you motivated when the effects of fasting start to impact your mind, spirit, and body.
2. What are you fasting from?
   If you don't have a clear understanding of what you can and cannot consume before you start your fast, you are far more likely to add additional items to the "acceptable list", which may or may not line up with your reasons for fasting.
3. How long will you fast
   If you do not have a clear timeline, then you will be likely to stop your fast before you initially intended.
   Do you have a support system?
   Who keeps you honest? Who encourages you? Find someone who will be there for you as you progress through the stages of fasting.

While Fasting

1. Remember your why.
2. Spend the time you would normally be eating and focus that time on your spiritual, mental, and/or physical development.
3. Don't be a grump while you fast. Try to stay focused on the positive aspects of the change you are experiencing.
4. Don't make other people feel guilty for not fasting.
5. Don't feel that you have to hide from people who are eating.

After You Finish The Fast

1. Ease back into food.
   Your body has made adjustments over time because you have eliminated or reduced the amount of food you have consumed. You need to carefully ease back into your normal food routine.
2. Consider modifying your "normal" food routine.
   You have taken steps to make changes in your life. Just because you are ending the fast does not mean you have to return to previous bad habits. This is a great time to reevaluate what you want as you move forward.
3. Continue to reflect on the reason why you fasted.
   Did you reach the spiritual, mental, and/or physical goals that you set? What are the next steps you need to take to maintain and/or reach those goals?

For me, fasting is both challenging and rewarding. It is something I want to do with intentionality and with purpose. I have some major life decisions that I need to make that impact me and my family. Over the coming weeks, I plan to fast on a few more occasions so that I can reflect on these decisions and seek guidance from God about next steps.

I want to hear from you!

1. Have you ever fasted before?
2. What do you believe is the hardest part of fasting?
3. What food do you recommend eating when you first open a fast?

Thanks for stopping by!
@SumatraNate

Source:
“fast.” Dictionary.Cambridge.Org. 2019. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/learner-english/fast_3?q=fasting (11 February 2019).