A fast is a period of time when you go without something that is normally a part of your life. When you think of fasting you probably conjure up the image of one who is trying to lose weight. You think of the misery that going without food for a length of time produces. Perhaps you’ve had to fast for a surgical procedure. Maybe it was for a blood draw and you could barely wait until you could go through the McDonald’s drive through to get that cholesterol laden breakfast burrito.
Fasting doesn’t rank at the top of most of our agendas, but we do fast. We just happen to sleep through most of it. The term breakfast literally means breaking the fast. For most, that time lasts about 12 hours (depending on late night snacks and the amount of sleep you get). Perhaps that’s why you enjoy that first cup of coffee or tea. Maybe that bowl of cereal, piece of fruit, or breakfast bar really hits the spot. Breaking the fast can be a very enjoyable moment.
Most people think of fasting in terms of what we give up. When that is the perception, your attitude will be skewed. The point of a religious fast is to allow yourself time to focus on something different, like prayer, but often the act of avoiding something tends to make it more current in your mind. As you begin thinking about fasting, consider distractions to be your friend.
Let’s say you decide to do a traditional fast. The most common would be to go without food for a 24-hour time period. (Caution, if you have medical issues that would be adversely affected by this practice, consult your doctor first.) Shortly into the fast, you will find yourself obsessed with your next meal. Pray about that. Say, Lord I’m looking forward to having that wonderful plate of scrambled eggs and toast. Thanks for the way you provide so much in my life.
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