Why Diet is Easy, But Fasting is Hard

"Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Hi there my Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Today I like to discuss a personal struggle I have with Fasting. I could easily do that. However when I decide to fast, it is very difficult to maintain it. 

As Christians, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). One of the most effective ways to do this is through prayer, fasting, and giving. While dieting can be a challenge, fasting is an altogether different story. In fact, many people who have successfully lost weight and maintained their dietary goals often struggle with fasting. But why is that?

To understand the difference between dieting and fasting, we need to start by defining what each entails. Dieting refers to the process of restricting certain foods or macronutrients in order to achieve a specific goal, such as losing weight or improving overall health. Fasting, on the other hand, involves abstaining from all food and drink for a period of time, often accompanied by prayer and meditation.

From a physical perspective, dieting can be easier because it allows us to still consume some calories while restricting others. This approach gives our bodies a chance to adapt and adjust to the new foods or nutrients we're introducing. Fasting, by contrast, requires us to completely abstain from food and drink, which can be much more challenging.

But there's a reason why fasting is harder than dieting, and it has everything to do with our spiritual nature. You see, when we diet, we are primarily dealing with our physical bodies. We're trying to shape and mold them into the ideal form that we desire. While this process can be difficult at times, it's ultimately a matter of discipline and willpower.

Fasting, however, is different. When we fast, we're not just depriving our bodies of food; we're also denying ourselves of the things that bring us comfort, joy, and satisfaction. We're forced to confront our deeper desires and motivations, and to seek sustenance from a higher power rather than from physical substances.

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus teaches us about the importance of fasting, saying, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting. I tell you the truth, no one can see your face without seeing how godly you are. And if you give up eating and drinking, only to look very sad and solemn like the hypocrites, then you will have gotten your reward. But when you fast, put olive oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting."

Here, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of humility and sincerity in our fasting practices. He's saying that if we're going to fast, let's do it with a right heart, seeking God's approval rather than human admiration.

But why is it so hard to fast with a right heart? Why do we struggle to deny ourselves and seek sustenance from God alone? One reason is that our fleshly nature rebels against the idea of self-denial. We want to be in control, and fasting seems to take away that control. It forces us to surrender our desires and our will to something greater than ourselves.

In Romans 8:12-13, Paul writes, "Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do as I do, for I am not your new master. No, you stand together with me. Only let us fear God what is reasonable, whether we live or die. For when we are evil it leads to death, but when we are good it leads to eternal life." Here, Paul is reminding us that our primary obligation is to love and serve God, not ourselves.

When we fast, we're forced to confront the fact that our lives are not our own. We're mere mortals, living in a fallen world, and our greatest need is for God's redeeming power. Fasting becomes an act of surrender, an acknowledgment that we're not in control, and that God alone is worthy of our worship.

In conclusion, while dieting can be difficult at times, fasting is altogether different. It requires us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. When we fast with a right heart, seeking God's approval rather than human admiration, we're forced to confront the fact that our lives are not our own. We're mere mortals, living in a fallen world, and our greatest need is for God's redeeming power.

So let us approach fasting with humility and sincerity, recognizing that it's not just about physical sustenance, but about spiritual nourishment as well. Let us seek God's guidance and wisdom as we fast, and may we emerge from this experience more like Christ, more surrendered to His will, and more grateful for the gift of life.