I think the practice of fasting is great… when I’m not fasting. Actual fasting is a lot like suffering: you’re in pain and you don’t know why. We know a little suffering is good for us, and more suffering is better. We just don’t like it.

But if you feel yourself choking on life, stop consuming so much of it. Fast.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. – Luke 8:14

• Fasting helps us focus, because the hunger keeps reminding us of something greater than escaping our pain.
• Fasting helps us relate to people who are in constant pain, feeling our own anxiety around every decision in our crippled state: will I be strong enough, am I OK to drive, can I exercise, can I pay attention,…?
• Fasting strengthens our faith, being alone with God in our commitment, with our minds not working well enough to depend on.
• Fasting helps us get in touch with our feelings. Everything is not OK, and it’s not just about the food. We become aware of other kinds of pain.
• Fasting is costly. We miss out on things because we can’t do them or can’t enjoy them. It crucifies our flesh and draws us into the Kingdom of God to find our sustenance.
• Fasting is illogical. Why are you fasting? Is that even a thing? What’s the point? It takes us past our task-oriented thinking into a place of intimacy with God, just being together in a secret, unproductive space that makes no sense to the natural mind.
• Fasting purifies our hearts. It’s a noble exercise of self-sacrifice for a spiritual purpose we can’t articulate or often even feel. It’s a beautiful posture of obedience to God.

Stop thinking everything through. Stop planning everything to work out for you. Deliberately sacrifice your comfort to be with Jesus.

Fasting is the privilege of choosing to suffer willingly, like Jesus did for us.

• we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Romans 5:3-4
• we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. – Romans 8:17
• For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him – Philippians 1:29
• I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings – Philippians 3:10
• you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. – 2 Thessalonians 1:5
• join with me in suffering for the gospel – 2 Timothy 1:8
• Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus – 2 Timothy 2:3
• if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God – 1 Peter 2:20
• To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps – 1 Peter 2:21
• if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed – 1 Peter 3:14
• whoever suffers in the body is done with sin – 1 Peter 4:1
• rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ – 1 Peter 4:13