”Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

Anyone who knows me also knows I am a huge proponent of fasting. To be more specific, I am a proponent of living a disciplined and consistent fasted lifestyle. Many of our fears and frustrations over fasting come simply because we don’t practice it enough.

Living a fasted lifestyle has become a way of life for me over the last few years. It has been, and continues to be a wonderful emotional, physical and spiritual journey for me. You read that right. Fasting is not only for spiritual health, but also benefits the whole man.

I would never want to discourage anyone from the discipline of fasting. It is our God-given tool for emotional, physical and spiritual health. However, I’ve learned from experience there are a few pitfalls to watch for on your fasting journey. Again, I’m referring specifically to a lifestyle of fasting, not simply pushing back the plate occasionally.

These are a few areas I’ve dealt with myself. Being able to look out for them is going to put you ahead in your fasting journey:

1. BECOMING DEHYDRATED

Going without food should not include going without liquid. Your body can go a looong time without food, but only a few days without water. You should be sipping water throughout the day. By the time you feel thirsty, it’s too late, you’re already dehydrated.

Much of the “hunger” you feel while fasting is often your body begging for liquid. Approximately 55%-60% of our bodies are water. Literally, every cell in your body is made up of mostly liquid.

Symptoms of dehydration range from fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion, UTIs, etc. These can range from mild to very severe. The solution is to stay hydrated, preferably with clean, pure water and electrolytes which help your cells hold on to the water. Sipping herbal teas are also an excellent way to keep hydrated.

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” (John 4:15)

 

2. BECOMING NUTRIENT DEFICIENT

I’m talking specifically about seasons of extended fasting, or living a fasted lifestyle where you are fasting one or two meals most days. In either of these situations, you must make sure that you are consuming enough, as well as, the right kind of nutrients during your eating windows. Fasting brings healing to our bodies when done correctly. Starving ourselves, or consuming only fast food/junk food in our eating windows is not fasting correctly. We are called to be good stewards over our bodies.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

3. TRYING TO FORCE GOD’S HAND

Fasting is powerful. But we should always remember that fasting changes us, not God. While we may have a specific need in mind for the focus of our fast, the biggest need is to subdue our flesh so that we are in tune with what God wants to do in that situation. This allows us to find the mind of Christ in order to pray more effectively. When we get our focus on changing God instead of ourselves, it’s easy to become frustrated, angry and even offended at God for not working in the way we assumed He would. Fasting should always be practiced with the mindset of “More of Him; less of me.” John the baptist expressed it perfectly.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

 

4. BECOMING PRIDEFUL

Is it possible to become prideful while you are humbling yourself in fasting? I assure you, it is. When you are on an extended fast, or have begun living a fasted lifestyle, your body will naturally experience changes. Sometimes dramatic changes. Not long into my fasting journey, people began to comment on the physical changes.

My husband and I evangelize, so we are in different churches every weekend. There’s no telling how many times I heard comments like, “Hey, Skinny-Minny!” Or “Sis, you’re looking GOOD!” Or “Wow! How much weight have you lost?!” After a while, I learned to simply answer, “Thank you. I definitely feel healthier.”

To be transparent, the comments made me feel good. I liked the way my clothes fit properly which hadn’t been the case since my teenage years. I liked being able to move freely. I liked the feeling of being in control of my self. A person can worship and chase grandkids much easier fifty pound lighter.

It takes discernment and being honest with ourselves to know where the line is that crosses over from feeling thankful and healthy to feeling prideful and sexy. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll begin to walk differently. Enter a room differently. Meet people’s eyes differently. This is yet another reason to make sure our fasting is properly yoked together with prayer.

”Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

 

5. BECOMING JUDGMENTAL

This is a mindset that no one wants to admit to, and it’s mostly internal. There comes a point when you begin to feel “successful” in your fasting journey. You’ve worked hard to become consistent, and you feel like you’re seeing the fruit of all your hard work. You’ve experienced some powerful moves of God. You’ve seen signs, wonders and miracles. You feel like you’ve established a direct line to the Throne. Everything you’ve studied in the Word about fasting is being manifested in your life…Then out of the blue, the thought comes to you, “If I can do it, why can’t they? Why don’t they? If they loved God and His Word like they claim, their situation would be different.”

Whoa, hold on there, Wonder Woman! You don’t know what they’re dealing with. You don’t know what’s going on inside of them. You don’t know what infirmities they wrestle with. You don’t know what the enemy is holding them hostage with. You don’t see the tears they’re crying into their pillow at night. You don’t know what their coworker or loved one did or said. You don’t know their fears, exhaustion, anxiety, depression or desperation. Perhaps you should take a pit stop instead of another victory lap, and remember where God brought you from, and how far you still need to go with Him. Oh, and while you’re at it, why don’t you set aside a season of fasting and prayer just for them?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

 

6. BECOMING INCONSISTENT

It’s so easy to become complacent after a season of intense spiritual warfare. It’s nice to just take a break. After Elijah’s notable defeat of the prophets of baal, it only took one threat from the wicked woman Jezebel to send him fleeing to hide in a cave. His moment of rest would have turned into a permanent residence if God had not sought him out, and got him back on his way again. His work wasn’t finished. He still had to anoint a few kings, and choose his own replacement, Elisha.

One week without fasting leads to two, and then a month, a quarter and a year. It’s fine to rest for a season, but there’s much more spiritual warfare to accomplish.

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)

 

7. BREAKING YOUR FAST INCORRECTLY

This is a BIG problem! Many people are afraid of fasting because they did it once, and got sick when they ended their fast. Most of the time, this is because they ended it incorrectly. It should take an equivalent amount of time to break your fast as the time you actually fasted. If you fasted one meal, then you should eat simple, non rich foods for one meal afterward. The longer you fast, the longer it will take to regulate your body back to eating. A three day fast, is actually a six day process. (That doesn’t count the days leading up to the fast when you will want to cut back on heavy foods, sugars and caffeine.) If you end a week long fast with pizza, brownies and a soda, you will be sorry. This has led to God’s people being fearful of the fasting discipline.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5)

 

8. INTENSIFYING EATING DISORDERS

Fasting correctly does not cause eating disorders. However, if someone suffers from an eating disorder, it can exacerbate the condition. If you know you have a history with eating issues, please be responsible, and speak to your doctor. Don’t attempt to use fasting to control binging or purging. Yes, fasting breaks strongholds, but we are to serve God with our minds. Make good choices. If you begin to think that you are sinning if you eat, this should be a red flag to get help. Gluttony is a sin, eating is not.

”And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

 

IN SUMMARY

Living a fasted lifestyle is the answer to emotional, physical and spiritual health. We do God’s process an injustice when we handle it incorrectly. I hope this helps you on your journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions on the topic.

Warm Regards,

~Pat~