The Fast is Over. Now What?

If you are like me, you set aside time in January for prayer and fasting. Many Christians do this during Lent (six weeks leading up to Easter), or other times throughout the year, but I most consistently have fasted in January. There are three general ways that I have chosen to engage in fasting:

 

• water only fast (honestly, I have never done for more than one day at a time. If you chose to do this, it should be done only for short periods of time and discussed with your health care professional if you have any health concerns).

• fast certain foods (example is a Daniel Fast, where you fast sugar, ultra-processed foods, refined grains, alcohol, and all animal products).

• soul fast – fast entertainment and other distractions (examples are TV, social media, shopping for non-essential items).

 

When we fast, we deny ourselves things that bring us comfort, or even things that sustain us (food) for a set period of time, to remind ourselves that our desires do not control us, rather we belong to God. We pray or read Scripture during the time we would be eating, or entertaining ourselves, putting our focus on the Bread of Life, Jesus. I often have new clarity, inspiration, or breakthrough when I spend that daily time in prayer and focus on Jesus. I think that’s why so many of us do it year after year.

 

So, now that January is over, what’s next? I was so aware of Jesus speaking to me during my fast, and also felt so good physically that I didn’t want to just go back to my habits before starting my fast.

 

My fast concluded on January 31, so that evening I took time to journal what I wanted to take away from fasting. Here are a few of the things I journaled about:

 

1. FAST – Eat real food, mostly plants.

   • I always feel my best when I eat this way and now that a habit is formed for me to grab healthy options, it’s pretty easy. I now will eat ultra-processed foods on occasion (example: tortilla chips), but I will plan it. For example, if I am making chicken tortilla soup for dinner, I will plan to have chips with my dinner. I will not keep chips in the cupboard to grab for a snack when I’m feeling hungry.

   • Chocolate. Surprisingly, this was more difficult than other ultra-processed foods for me, even though I consider myself a salt-lover over sweets. I do keep a stash of dark chocolate peanut butter cups and dark chocolate covered almonds on hand at all times. If I feel like it, I will have a few of these daily, following either lunch or dinner. Again though, chocolate will not be my “snack” I grab when I’m hungry.

      

2. FAST – Abstain from the biggest distractions; TV and social media.

   • I decided that for me TV will be a planned event. For example, Friday movie night with my family, or watching the Super Bowl. In the past I have had cooking shows on throughout the day as I do my household chores, and I’ve found that my mind has been more engaged in what God has been speaking to me without the TV on. Now I often have worship on instead, during chore time.

   • For social media, I have set aside two time periods each day to check social media, and post if I want to. One is before my kids wake up (I’m an early riser) and one is right before I pick my kids up from school. By not grabbing my phone throughout the day, just to see what everyone has posted, has been incredibly valuable. I never want to go back.

    

   I have loved my morning quiet time with Jesus more than anything and that also will continue to be a part of my daily routine throughout the year.

    

So what about you? Did you participate in fasting in January? If so, I’d encourage you to journal about what you learned and what you want to implement moving forward. Do you plan to fast for Lent? I’d love to hear from you!