Fasting
Fasting: What is it? Why is it useful? These questions and others are the topic of this article. So you may be thinking that fasting could be beneficial, but don't know much about it or don't do it regularly.
My goal is that through this article you'll gain a good understanding of fasting, and develop an appreciation for the value of it. Fasting is a tool that I believe is spiritually, mentally, and physically useful
for everyone. Therefore, we'll look at the different types of fasts, reasons for fasting, and benefits of fasting. With this knowledge you can make an informed decision about the value of fasting in your own life.
Should you decide to incorporate fasting into your lifestyle be sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you have any health conditions or concerns.
Let's begin by looking at the different types of fasts: short-term and daily fasts. For the purpose of this article, a short-term fast is defined as continuous fasting for a set period of time, typically 1 to 7 days. The basic definition of fasting is to go without food, so the most fundamental type of short-term fast is the water only fast. This fundamental kind of fast gives rise to other types of short-term fasts. For example, here are some different types of liquid fasts: Water & coffee/tea; water & 100% juice drinks; water & broth; and the list goes on. Another short-term fasting option is to simply limit the number of calories consumed each day of the fast. This method makes longer fasts easier since it provides some energy each day throughout the fast. It may also be a good option for people with conditions or concerns that make a complete fast too challenging to follow.
A daily fast refers to the eating pattern where calories are consumed in a limited number of hours each day, and therefore part of every day is spent fasting. Because food is consumed every day, it doesn't really seem right to even call this a fast, but the fact that nothing is consumed during a portion of the day does mean that you're fasting at that time. A daily fast that has become popular in the last few years is the 16:8 fast. On this fast you're basically skipping one mealtime every day, so you fast for 16 hours and then eat sensibly for the other 8 hours. In this way, you're still eating the right amount of calories every day, but you're also giving your body a rest. All fasts require discipline, but most agree that daily fasts are easier to follow than short-term fasts. You may want to try a few different types of fasts to determine which is best for you.
Now let's look at reasons for fasting. Considering that we are tripartite beings, it makes sense that there are three primary reasons for fasting. The first reason is for spiritual growth, the second is for mental and emotional health, and the third for physical well-being. While your reason for fasting may be only one of these, a fast will have impact on all three areas. This will become more evident as we look at the benefits of fasts.
As previously mentioned there are numerous reasons for fasting and types of fasts. Here we'll identify some of the benefits of fasting:
- Spiritual Growth: gain victory, discover purpose, and develop greater intimacy with God.
- Mental/Emotional Health: mental clarity, sensory refinement, and enhanced self-control.
- Physical Well-being: Weight maintenance, metabolic stimulation, and internal purification.
These are just a few of the many benefits of fasting. Hopefully they provide a springboard from which to explore how fasting can benefit your life. Remember, should you decide to incorporate fasting into your lifestyle be sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you have any health conditions or concerns.