The Habit We Hate.
Why fasting is more than giving something up.
This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season I didn’t grow up observing, and maybe you didn’t either. Lent is a 40-day period of reflection leading up to Easter—a time set aside for spiritual renewal, often through the practice of fasting.
Fasting isn’t unique to Christianity. Nearly every major religion incorporates some form of it:
Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Latter-day Saints fast together once a month.
Muslims observe Ramadan, fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Jews fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Even outside of faith, fasting has gained popularity for its health benefits—intermittent fasting is everywhere, from weight loss regimens to mental clarity strategies.
But while many people fast, we don’t all fast for the same purpose.
For Christians, fasting is feasting on God’s presence by letting go of lesser things.
When we fast, we set aside something we love for something we love and long for more. Traditionally, fasting has been almost exclusively about food, but the truth is, you can fast anything that occupies your time and attention—social media, entertainment, coffee, unnecessary spending, even constant noise.
The problem? Most of us don’t like the idea of fasting.
The Spiritual Habit We Hate
People tend to at least like the idea of Scripture, prayer, Sabbath, and even solitude. We see the value. Something in us longs for them. But that is not always the case with fasting. Because fasting, by definition, requires we let go of something we value.
Fasting is like the NyQuil of spiritual habits. NyQuil is objectively hard to stomach. I don’t care how they try to re-engineer the flavor of it, it tastes like stomach bile infused with high-fructose corn syrup. That’s nasty, I know. But that’s what it tastes like. So even though you know it might be good for you, just the idea of it is hard to stomach. And that’s how we feel about fasting.
Giving up something we value feels unnatural, inconvenient, and uncomfortable.
But here’s the thing: Our resistance to fasting might be the clearest sign of how much we need it.
Fasting confronts our dependence on comfort, control, and instant gratification. It reveals what we turn to instead of God. And despite our reluctance, the Bible portrays fasting as a normal part of life with God—not an extreme practice, but a regular rhythm.
So let’s take a fresh look at it.
Jesus Assumes We’ll Fast
In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus says, “Whenever you fast…”
Not if you fast. When.
For Jesus’ original audience, fasting was already an expected part of faith. Devout Jews fasted twice a week, typically on Mondays and Wednesdays. So Jesus didn’t need to convince them to fast—He needed to make sure they were doing it for the right reasons.
The problem? They were fasting as a performance.
They walked around with gloomy faces, intentionally looking miserable so others would admire how spiritual they were. It was all about being seen. And Jesus made it clear: the recognition they craved was all the reward they would receive.
Fasting was never meant to be about impressing people. It’s about drawing closer to God.
But let’s get more specific. Let’s look at three reasons we fast.
1. We Fast to Nurture Reliance on God (Matthew 4:1-4)
Before Jesus launched His public ministry, He spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. And at the peak of His hunger, Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread.
Jesus replied:
“Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Fasting trains us to find our deepest satisfaction in God’s presence rather than in temporary comforts. It exposes all the things we rely on instead of Him—whether it’s food, entertainment, or distraction.
As Richard Foster writes:
“More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.”
Think about it like this…
Have You Ever Lost WiFi?
You’re mid-email or deep into your favorite show, and suddenly—the WiFi stops working.
At first, you try to stay calm. “It’s probably just a glitch.”
Then, frustration creeps in. You restart the router. When that doesn’t work, you start feeling like you’re experiencing one of life’s greatest injustices.
My point is, it’s only when the internet disappears that you realize how much you depend on it.
Fasting works the same way.
When we remove food, social media, or any other comfort, we suddenly see how much we depend on them—often far more than we depend on God. But in that discomfort, we have a chance to reset, refocus, and reconnect with Him.
Reflection:
What do you turn to for comfort, distraction, or escape?
What might you be relying on more than God?
2. We Fast to Express Repentance Before God (Joel 2:12-13)
In the book of Joel, the prophet calls God’s people to return to Him with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Fasting has long been connected to repentance—not as a way to earn God’s forgiveness, but as a way to humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge where we haven’t listened and obeyed. It’s an intentional act of turning back to God.
Think about driving in a blinding snowstorm. When you can’t see more than a few feet ahead, it’s wise to slow down and pull over to regain your bearings.
Fasting serves as that pause.
It creates space for reflection, inviting us to face areas of our lives where we’ve drifted from God.
Reflection:
Is there something weighing on your heart?
A sin, regret, or burden you need to bring before God?
3. We Fast to Choose Realignment with God (Isaiah 58:6-7)
In Isaiah 58, God rebukes those who fast while ignoring injustice and suffering.
“Isn’t this the fast I choose: to break the chains of wickedness… to set the oppressed free?”
Fasting isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about realigning our hearts with God’s justice, mercy, and compassion for the world.
Imagine opening your blinds in the morning to let the sunlight pour in. Suddenly, you notice every smudge, speck of dust, and streak on your windows.
Fasting does the same thing—it illuminates areas in our lives that need realignment.
Reflection:
Where might God be inviting you to serve, give, or love more deeply?
How can your fasting overflow into action?
How to Fast This Lent
If fasting is new to you, Lent is the perfect time to start.
Here are a few practical ways to participate:
Choose a Fast – Take an inventory of the things that consume your time and attention. It could be a meal, a type of food, social media, or anything that otherwise keeps you from being present with God. Pick one of these things to let go for Lent.
Read Scripture – Use a daily Lent reading plan to guide your reflection and prayer.
Reflect on what you’ve read – If you’re not sure how, try this:
Notice God’s Invitation
What phrase or image in your reading stands out to you and why? How might it be revealing God’s invitation, challenge, or comfort in your life right now?
Examining Your Response
Reflect on your current season. Does that passage echo anything you’re experiencing—whether hopes, struggles, or joys? How might you sense God urging you to respond, grow, or surrender in light of what you’ve read?
Take the Next Step
If you were to act on what you’ve discovered in that reading, what could that look like? Consider a single, concrete step you might take that day—whether it’s through prayer, service, seeking reconciliation, or another spiritual practice.
The Invitation
Fasting is feasting on God’s presence by letting go of lesser things.
So here’s the question: What lesser thing might be dulling your hunger for God?
Whatever it is, let this season be an opportunity to reset and to experience God’s presence more deeply.