Fasting is hard. But when we choose to do hard things, the very human impulse to share our struggle and look for appreciation can undermine the thing we are working for…
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:16)
This Lenten season, many people choose to fast. Whether that’s a 24-hour fast, sunrise to sunset (or the opposite), or to fast from certain foods or behaviors, we put our trust in God’s strength when temptation strikes.
Fasting is hard. And it should be. As I told my kids, if it was easy, we could do it ourselves. If it’s hard, then we rely on God to help us through.
This year, I am fasting from junk food. I am also fasting from food in general from sunset to sunrise. This means early meals, no snack food, and the occasional cup of broth when poor planning means a missed dinner.
This is not an extremely difficult fast, but it does challenge me. Food is something I enjoy, something I look forward to. And not allowing myself to have it strains against my rebellious heart.
I have been known to grumble about being hungry. The word “hangry” may have been mentioned a time or ten. So fasting is a struggle.
But the struggle is mine. It’s between God and me. Not my husband or kids, or the lady next to me on the bleachers, or anyone one else.
Fasting for God alone
It’s very human to want to show off the hard stuff we do. We want to be appreciated and respected for our sacrifices. We like approval and looking good.
But that treads dangerously close to self-righteousness and pride. To setting ourselves up as an idol. And as Jesus said in this verse, that will be the only reward we get.
Fasting or sacrificing things for God isn’t meant to give us earthly rewards. It’s meant to draw us closer to Him. To highlight his strength and our weakness. Our need and His sufficiency. Our failures and His grace.
We shouldn’t fast during Lent because we want to look good to our church friends. We should do it because we want to offer a sacrifice to God, no matter how tiny it is in comparison to the sacrifice of His son for us.
These 40 days draw us closer to God. They draw us farther from the things that pull us away from Him. And they help us feel in a real and visceral way what it is to hunger and thirst. But instead of reaching for chips, chocolate, our phones, or our gaming systems, we reach for Him. And feel what it is to be content.
Our reward does not wait for us here on earth. It’s waiting for us in heaven. As we struggle through this Lenten season, I pray we all keep our eyes on the ultimate prize.
Have a blessed Monday!
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Fasting has been something that I have recently started participating it, especially during the Lent season. I appreciate your words on this subject!
It’s such a helpful part of Lent, bringing so much into focus. I pray God strengthens you through it! Thanks for your kind words 🙂
Oh, I feel this! I don’t fast well either! Thanks for the reminder about why we fast. I have neglected this discipline, but I know I’m missing out on God’s sweet gifts that are found through it…….
It’s a difficult practice but you’re so right about the sweet gifts of God that we receive when we experience it!