Post
93
A
CASE FOR FASTING
Note: Seek professional advice and help prior to
any decision to fast.
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a
person who had just completed a planned
fast. For a set period of time, she
continuously stayed on a liquid diet – juices and water with no other food
intake. She was jubilant! She had kept her fast and the results were
what she had planned for – and hoped.
To curb urges for the harmful elements from which
she was abstaining, preparations were first made: appropriate advice and help
were obtained and followed. To be sure,
this is essential. Any fasting needs
to be thoroughly thought through, prepared for, and followed – including professional medical
advice and approval. Additionally,
she had sought out her pastor’s knowledge about fasting and had gained
spiritual insight prior to – and throughout her fast.
Following this conversation, I thought back to two
experiences I had had with regard to fasting … no, there had never before been
a purposeful fast. Yes, I had stayed off
food when ailing from stomach unrest; and yes, I do abstain from certain foods
when I feel a headache coming on. Oh,
and yes, I’ve “dieted” – but there was no spiritual motivation involved. However, there were two experiences that have
sparked inspiration within me. First,
quite some time ago, I read Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline.
Particularly, his chapter on the topic of fasting intrigued me. I never followed up – in action – but over
the years, there was much food for
thought to digest from that chapter. Second, a person, who had noticed how limited
I was able to move about during an extraordinary flare-up of sciatica, said
that he was fasting for me in order that I might receive healing. Actually, I did recover from that painful
bout; and the memory of his statement reminds me every so often about this
special spiritual discipline.
In fact, last week the memory popped up again. Then a friend emailed me that this week would
most likely be a particularly hard one.
I promised that I would pray for her; and suddenly, the idea of fasting
presented me with a challenge – and an invitation.
So this week, I am following a modified fast-and-pray discipline. The “modified” aspect of the fast is that it
is not a liquid only or a no-food plan.
Rather, I will eat three meals each day (no matter what) with very
precise portions (no seconds), eliminate snacks completely, and drink LOTS of
water. For a snack-or and an
eat-all-you’re-in-the-mood-for (because
you most likely skipped a meal) person,
this modified regimen has
turned out to be an interesting – and convicting - discipline. Moreover,
throughout each day, I am praying for my friend.
So far, I am discovering several elemental benefits
from this limited fast – some a surprise – that I should have already expected!
·
I do not miss the snacks … and when
mini-hunger feelings strike, they pass by quickly
·
The seconds
are not missed. Even as portion
sizes are carefully calculated, the limited meal is just enough.
·
No desserts, period.
·
The regimen of these predictably,
limited meals generates a feeling of self-control that, in turn, generates a
broader sense of stability.
·
Pervasively, knowing that I am following
this personal discipline for a spiritual reason brings an element of joy into the discipline of limitation.
·
Praying for my friend is in the midst of
everything … there is an overall sense of being blanketed in prayer - as I am blanketing her in prayer.
·
It’s not about “I can’t eat anything I want or as much as I want.” Instead, it’s
“I can do this … and I’m
already enjoying the benefits and blessings!”
·
AND it is because I am counting on God
to guide me through this week, I am able to know, with assurance, that there
are and will be joys – and spiritual depth - throughout this week for my friend … and me.
In closing, I am
wondering how this same approach of spiritual discipline (whether it be fasting
or another form of spirituality) could go a long way for persons already in
recovery but who are feeling the tug of
triggers to return to previous addictive behaviors
Once
more, for those curious about and interested in fasting, consult your physician
first.
Remember: recovery
is physical, emotional, social, mental, relational, and spiritual!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs CCGSO
Founding DirectorGambling Recovery Ministries
