Fasting questions and thoughts...

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hhhlga89

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
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16
Whenever I fast I only like to eat nothing and drink only water. I find, however, that it makes me extremely tired (I'm a skinny guy, idk..I guess that is why). It makes fasting useless because I am sleeping when I should be praying, and I focus more on my mild starvation then on God. Granted, fasting is supposed to be somewhat self inflicting - wanting to show God how much you want something, something not selfish, but to His pleasure and glory. But I can't help but question the effectiveness of this when I am sleeping and focused on my discomfort.

Does anyone have this same problem when it comes to fasting and being tired and unfocused?

I know people have alternative things they like to do in order to fast. I believe you don't have to only fast with food...I think their are some OT examples of that...but I'm not sure... I think us internet consumed CC users (and porn users) could benefit from a fast from the internet. It seems more beneficial to me, which would turn out to the benefit of God:

1. I would be able to eat and be energized

2. I would not be able to spend the 2-3 hours I spend daily, at least, on the internet (usually looking up pointless nonsense or sin).

3. That time could be used in prayer, reading the bible, etc.

4. It would break the seemingly innocuous but harmful addiction to the internet. The obviously harmful addiction for porn users.

5. It would give me a chance to realize how unimportant those things are which I daily make a routine of, and when going back to the internet (or tv, or whatever) I would come with a renewed mind, not feeling the need to waste time watching or reading those things I have discovered to be unnecessary.

Does anyone else think there are better alternatives to a food fast? If so, what are they, I would like to know?
 
I think the alternatives should be different for different people. For example, one person might be led to take a break from music, another from food, maybe another from human interaction.

If God has put it on your heart to fast, I think He will show you what to give up. And I think taking a break from the internet sounds like an excellent idea, especially since that's what was on the top of your mind. Godspeed!
 
It is that time of discomfort that you draw on Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

The time you are so hungry that you are thinking about the hunger, is when you draw and focus on Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

It is spiritual.

Your flesh desires food.

Your spirit is your strength..

Yahshua the Messiah fasted for 40 days and was then tested because that was the time the flesh was against the spirit.

Some people sell their birth right for a pot of food when they are hungry....


29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
 
loveme1 said:
Fasting is not meant to be easy.
Click to expand...

I know, thats why I said "fasting is supposed to be somewhat self inflicting - wanting to show God how much you want something, something not selfish, but to His pleasure and glory"


loveme1 said:
It is that time of discomfort that you draw on Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

The time you are so hungry that you are thinking about the hunger, is when you draw and focus on Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

It is spiritual.

Your flesh desires food.

Your spirit is your strength..

Yahshua the Messiah fasted for 40 days and was then tested because that was the time the flesh was against the spirit.

Some people sell their birth right for a pot of food when they are hungry....


29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Click to expand...

I guess your right about the hunger being something you should fight. I don't think there was much more things people could fast from in Jesus' time, or in his class..

I'm not sure what selling my birthright has to do with anything? Fasting with food is an option..you're not sinning if your not fasting. I could see this being applicable to someone who ate during their fast because they couldn't go without, but I never ate while fasting.
 
hhhlga89 said:
I know, thats why I said "fasting is supposed to be somewhat self inflicting - wanting to show God how much you want something, something not selfish, but to His pleasure and glory"




I guess your right about the hunger being something you should fight. I don't think there was much more things people could fast from in Jesus' time, or in his class..

I'm not sure what selling my birthright has to do with anything? Fasting with food is an option..you're not sinning if your not fasting. I could see this being applicable to someone who ate during their fast because they couldn't go without, but I never ate while fasting.
Click to expand...


I gave you an example of how hunger can overcome a person...

I never mentioned not fasting is sinful......

You maybe were looking for some to tell you not to fast from food, I reminded you that it is meant to be hard, and some will sell there birthright as an example of how it can overcome a person to make irrational decisions.
 
hhhlga89 said:
Whenever I fast I only like to eat nothing and drink only water. I find, however, that it makes me extremely tired (I'm a skinny guy, idk..I guess that is why). It makes fasting useless because I am sleeping when I should be praying, and I focus more on my mild starvation then on God. Granted, fasting is supposed to be somewhat self inflicting - wanting to show God how much you want something, something not selfish, but to His pleasure and glory. But I can't help but question the effectiveness of this when I am sleeping and focused on my discomfort.

Does anyone have this same problem when it comes to fasting and being tired and unfocused?

I know people have alternative things they like to do in order to fast. I believe you don't have to only fast with food...I think their are some OT examples of that...but I'm not sure... I think us internet consumed CC users (and porn users) could benefit from a fast from the internet. It seems more beneficial to me, which would turn out to the benefit of God:

1. I would be able to eat and be energized

2. I would not be able to spend the 2-3 hours I spend daily, at least, on the internet (usually looking up pointless nonsense or sin).

3. That time could be used in prayer, reading the bible, etc.

4. It would break the seemingly innocuous but harmful addiction to the internet. The obviously harmful addiction for porn users.

5. It would give me a chance to realize how unimportant those things are which I daily make a routine of, and when going back to the internet (or tv, or whatever) I would come with a renewed mind, not feeling the need to waste time watching or reading those things I have discovered to be unnecessary.

Does anyone else think there are better alternatives to a food fast? If so, what are they, I would like to know?
Click to expand...

I think the Lord would rather we obey his commandments than fast.
 
I agree that fasting can be from many things as you
noted. There is much in this world we can fast from.

In regard to fasting from foods, you might try:

* fasting from 'fast food' restaurants
* fasting from swine and shellfish (levitical dietary fast)
* fasting from snacks, candy and other junk food
* fasting from meat (vegetarian fasting - as Daniel)
* juice fasting (read up on it first)

You might try a '40 hour fast'. You have your last meal
at lunch on Friday, skipping Friday dinner, all meals on
Saturday, and you 'break-fast' on Sunday morning. This
allows you to be home while fasting and to occupy
yourself in research and study and meditation. You
might try researching food supply issues (see
'livestock's long shadow' as an example) or hunger in
America (or the world) or research other's success
stories on fasting. You might try this once per month or
once per quarter, or on certain holidays and etc. Best
wishes -- Digital_Angel_316
 
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