I have been struggling when it comes to fasting, it seems as if everytime I decide to fast I end up eating or frustrated by something or doing something out of ordinary. Could any one of you help me out, tell me how to deal with the battles of the mind when I'm on a fasting period?
2006-09-05 13:09:28 · 14 answers · asked by twist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The battles you mention, especially in your mind, are NORMAL.
Fasting is a cleansing experience that your flesh will fight against. It goes against "nature" to eat whenever you want to, to drink whenever you want to, so your fleshly mind revolts against the very idea.
There are several things you can do to help yourself.
First, see your doctor, and make sure you are physically able to fast. This can be a problem if you are hypoglycemic or diabetic, etc.
Second, set a realistic goal. You don't want your first fast to be for 30 days! Get real! Try one day! Anybody can go one day without eating. Just set aside one 24 hour period to go without food, and drink only water. Pray and read scripture instead of eating. Remember to drink plenty of water!
Sure, your body will gripe about it, and you will think you are missing out on something wonderful, and the most disgusting assortment of pitted prunes in anchovie sauce will start to look good, but THAT IS JUST YOUR BODY GRIPING. Just realize that your body is acting like a spoiled child, that has heard the word "NO" for the first time. You have to stand up to the tantrums!
Once you have mastered "ONE DAY", then try for 2 days in a row, then 3. That ought to be enough for awhile.
Under normal circumstances, after one day with no caloric input, your digestive system will shut down. You won't feel hungry, or so attached to food. This is a good place to be: in control.
2006-09-05 13:19:29 · answer #1 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps without knowing the full extent of your fasting I will take some liberation in answering your question. Is your fasting consist of a twenty four hour fast with no food or water? If that is the fast that you are doing then perhaps you might want to take some baby steps.
First what is the reason for your fast, fasting is meant as a spiritual discipline, it is best done when something is laid heavy on your heart. Then when temptation comes along you prayer through.
If you truly believe you should be fasting and still struggling try fasting breakfast - then fast breakfast, lunch and then go the full day. It does not have to be an all or nothing - fasting is a sacrifice begin with small sacrifices.
2006-09-05 20:22:33 · answer #2 · answered by freemansfox 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are trying to not eat anything at all. Correct? I ask because there are many different practices that can be considered "fasting." One can go without food and water, go without food, or more commonly, restrict the amount of food she eats or what kinds of foods she eats.
Be sure that your fasting is rooted in prayer first of all. It should never be done for its own sake, but rather as a way to become detached from the world and more focused on Christ.
Secondly, don't try to do to much at once. If you set too high and unrealistic of a goal for your fast, you're likely to falter which is counter-productive. Also planning extreme fasts and accomplishing them can, if not done with a spirit of prayer and humility, lead to spiritual pride. And you definitely don't want that! It can actually be an exercise in humility to only take on a moderate fast when you wish you could do more.
So start small and moderately. A good idea would be to only fast on Fridays, to commemorate the day Jesus suffered and died. If you're distracted by your fast, think about Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us. And you don't have to go completely without food that day. Frankly that's not always a healthy thing to do, especially if you have any blood sugar issues. Perhaps you could give up a favorite food during those days (like chips, chocolate, soda pop, alcohol, etc). Or eat only one full meal and then two small snacks.
2006-09-05 21:28:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sass B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with "Don" . Jesus said in the Bible to His disciples, "When you fast"...
He expected those who follow Him to fast as a spiritual discipline. Start out small. Fast for just one meal at a time until you get used to it. Drink plenty of liquids to help keep your stomach feeling full. It is difficult to fast if you work a full time job.For that reason I fast only on weekends and holidays.
Lots of people have different ways of fasting. Some take in liquids only, some eat vegetables only (called a "Daniel Fast"). Fasting can be a very positive spiritual experience, that can help you to:
1) Get to know God better
2) Increase the power of your prayers
The "battle of the mind" you refer to can be fought by keeping your thoughts off food, and focused on other things.
2006-09-05 20:25:16 · answer #4 · answered by LL 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fasting is tough. Our flesh wants to be in control and the spirit should be, so you need to pray before starting a fast. Ash God to help you and let Him know why you are fasting. I guess the best way to put it is, you have to be a little stubborn. Don't try a week long fast before you try a day or a weekend. Don't try a total fast(water only) until you have fasted your favorite foods. I know you can do it and respect you for trying. Peace.
2006-09-05 20:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
every time I think of food, I stop and pray what I am fasting for.
Takes some practice, but now I love to cook for the family, when I am fasting - joy, joy, joy.
Set realistic goals, then keep increasing, just like anything else you do that takes training, and practice
Keep running the ace, keep focused to win the prize.
Ask God to help, ask to see the results.
Jer. 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know
2006-09-05 20:16:47 · answer #6 · answered by Slave to JC 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When i fast i always try to keep busy with things and dont think about being hungry. Also i feel better when i think about the reason why i am fasting, back then they didnt have a choice they had to fast.
2006-09-05 20:11:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fasting can be a wonderful spiritual experience. Those who never fast and pray miss a spiritual exercise which has been a blessing to many throughout the ages. A person in good health may choose to forego occasional meals in order to focus on devotion to God. Not only are there spiritual benefits, but many doctors agree that there are also health benefits. The early church found prayer and fasting valuable when seeking the guidance of God for making important decisions such as choosing spiritual leaders; see Acts 13:2-3 and 14:23. God will honor and bless anyone who will fast and pray in the right spirit.
When Jesus fasted (Luke 4:2), we are told He ate nothing. It meant in all probability that He abstained from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water. This type of fast may be called the "normal fast." There are also a few examples in the Bible of the "absolute fast" which means abstaining from drinking water as well as from eating, as in Ezra 10:6. In Esther 4:16, Queen Esther instructs Mordecai, "Fast for me, Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do." See also Paul's fast in Acts 9:9. Other examples are in Deuteronomy 9:9, Exodus 34:28 and 1 Kings 19:8. This method of fasting is an exceptional measure for an extremely unusual situation. One would need to be very sure of the leading of the Lord to undertake any fast for longer than three days or one which excludes liquid. A doctor's advice would be very important.
There is also the "partial fast" which is a restriction on certain foods or certain meals, as in Daniel 10:3 and 1 Kings, chapter 17. This method is used today by some who omit one meal a day and spend that time in prayer. Biblical fasting can be public as well as private, regular as well as occasional, involuntary as well as voluntary. For a detailed discussion on fasting, we suggest the books "God's Chosen Fast" by Arthur Wallis and "Hunger for God" by John Piper. These books would be available through a Christian bookstore.
Prayer is simply talking to God—and the most important thing I can say about this is that God wants you to talk to Him! He loves us and He has promised to hear us when we pray. How can you learn to pray? First, understand why prayer is possible.
Prayer is possible because Jesus Christ has removed the barrier between us and God—a barrier caused by our sins. You see, sin separates us from God, and because of that we have no right to come before Him. But by His death on the cross, Christ paid the penalty for our sins and removed the barrier. God then gives us the privilege of coming into His presence when we commit our lives to Christ. The Bible says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). If you have never done so, ask Christ to come into your life today.
Then understand that God now welcomes you into His presence and promises to hear you—and He cannot lie. The Bible says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14). Trust His promises and learn to bring every concern to Him in prayer.
2006-09-05 20:47:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
fasting is tough and it's definitely a test of faith for me. i try to delve into something else - walking in the woods saying my prayers - cleaning the house while singing sme hymns - you will have to find what works for you. realizze the first few (or more) times you will fall -it's okay!! what matters is you pick youself up and keep trying.
2006-09-05 20:11:56 · answer #9 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Read the Bible, pray, listen to christian music, drink water, talk to your pastor. There are several ways to get through the frustrations. I know that it's not easy, but it can be done. I will be praying for you.
2006-09-05 20:22:57 · answer #10 · answered by robin rmsclvr25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋