Beginning regular effectual fasting
Step four involves the beginning of water fasting unto the Lord on a regular basis, starting with shorter periods (even half-day fasts) at longer intervals and then increasing at your desired pace to a point at which you feel comfortable. The focus is not on abstaining from food but rather on “effectual” (effective) fasting. This incorporates fasting with the mindset of drawing near to God with the expectation of a positive spiritual result. This “result” will always be personal to the individual faster and may range from an answer to specific prayers to a strengthening of spiritual wisdom, vision, and/or faith to a heightened level of thanksgiving and appreciation toward God and His promises.
In no way do we encourage fasting to become a ritualistic practice. Indeed, fasting unto the Lord should be anything but a routine act. Nevertheless, because some people find fasting such a struggle and are, therefore, somewhat adverse to making the effort to use this precious tool, it’s helpful to compel yourself to overcome your hesitations by initially making fasting a scheduled part of your life.
Overcoming
Fasting Struggles
As children of the Living God, we are called to shine His light, to shimmer as jewels in His crown. Yet, at times, we may find our strength in the Spirit waning as we take heed to the temptations of the flesh. God, in His wisdom, has equipped us with all the tools necessary to overcome our natural selves and the pressures of this world, yet too often, one of the most powerful and effective tools is neglected: fasting.
Fasting is not just about “not eating” for a certain period. Like praying in the Holy Spirit, the effect of fasting unto the Lord is a miracle in which God calls us to have faith. But, for some people, it’s difficult to access this faith when they are distracted and even overwhelmed by the negative physical side effects they experience while trying to fast. These side effects (such as nausea, headaches, body aches, flu-like symptoms, and even psychological issues such as depression) are often misinterpreted as “bad.” In reality, however, they are simply signs of a toxic body.
Unlike the days of Jesus when people ate a very clean diet relative to today, fasting can be very difficult for a large number of people. When someone fasts, their body changes its focus from digesting food to cleansing cells. The longer one fasts, the deeper the cleanse that occurs – and the more toxic the body, the greater the side effects. Drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juices during the fast can help slow the detoxification process and assist in the elimination of toxins, as can taking certain bowel cleansing products, which ensure the toxins are not reabsorbed from the colon into the bloodstream.
It’s natural for our bodies to detoxify on an ongoing basis as we are constantly exposed to toxins (and even parasites) via what we ingest and via our environment, no matter how “clean” we try to live. However, the human body is not equipped to deal with the toxic overload that some people subject themselves to daily. The ramifications of this toxic overload (largely caused by overeating and poor food choices – and exacerbated by poor lifestyle habits such as a lack of exercise) can have drastic effects on one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Yet, some people are oblivious to (or unwilling to fully accept) this cause/effect relationship. Not only this, it becomes a destructive cycle in that the more we eat chemical-laden, nutrient-deficient, stimulant-rich foods, the more our bodies become addicted, causing certain foods and the act of eating to become idols in our lives. This makes any attempts toward health (such as fasting) even more difficult to accomplish.
It is an interesting fact that when the human body is struggling with toxic overload, it employs “survival techniques” in order to minimize damage to the body’s major organs. Given that the body cannot eliminate the toxins (chemicals or substances that create irritation, inflammation, and imbalances in the body) quickly enough, and given that exposure to toxins can cause irreparable damage to the body’s delicate system, the body resorts to storing the excess toxins within its fat cells. As this storage process continues over time, the body is forced to increase the size of its fat cells to provide “space” for the ever-accumulating toxic load.
These poisonous toxins can come from what we eat, drink, and inhale through our environment. The majority of foods and drinks consumed these days contain a variety of pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, insecticides, food additives, food colorings, flavor enhancers (such as MSG), preservatives, artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners, hormones, antibiotics, and heavy metals. We also unknowingly inhale toxins from such things as second-hand cigarette smoke, pollution, paints, hairsprays, household cleaners, etc.
Once you effectively cleanse your body (such as by doing a J.E.W.E.L. Juice Cleanse) of the majority of toxins and parasites (organisms that live off a “host” which can be present within, primarily, the animal foods you eat as well as certain water you may drink), fasting becomes a less challenging and even welcome experience. Even the hunger pangs (which will always accompany any fast) begin to “feel” different, and they dissipate a lot sooner, helping to bring you to a state of stillness before the Lord. The quieting of the body enables you to more richly connect with your spiritual hunger. A wonderful sense of freedom can result as your flesh is forced into silence (or submission), and this sharpens your discernment of the greatest sound of all: God’s still, small voice.
On a natural level, fasting is one of the biggest keys to radiant health. Our bodies cope far better with a fast than a feast. In fact, the body can function perfectly well without food for weeks before any harm is caused, and those who fast for short periods regularly find that this practice enhances their health on many different levels. Even the initial symptom of lethargy can quickly progress to feelings of abundant energy and clarity of thought as the body embraces the experience of fasting.
Fasting (water or juice fasting; long-term fasts or a series of shorter fasts) can be the answer to innumerable health problems, including (but in no way limited to) the following: weight issues, skin problems, depression, stress, addictions, low libido, and a host of illnesses and conditions that are commonly treated these days with drugs. Indeed, our Lord Jesus is the great physician, and God certainly encourages us to rely on Him for our healing needs, but sometimes, healing does not come instantaneously upon calling on the Lord. Sometimes, we need to seek God in every way possible before realizing victory. The children of Israel at times found themselves victorious against their enemies even before beginning battle preparations, yet at other times, it was not until they had made ready for war or were even in the midst of conflict that their wait upon the Lord was rewarded. (The actions of King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles, chapter 32, are a good example of this.)
God did not intend for fasting to be a dreaded chore. Fasting is one of the precious tools God has given us for strengthening, overcoming, seeking answers to prayer, increasing our faith, and improving our sensitivity to His Word. (Luke 5:35, “But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”) Yet, the adversary is rejoicing because he has succeeded in tempting many of us to make choices that severely undermine our strength to fast – and even our desire to fast. God wants all His children to realize victory in this area of their lives to help maximize their relationship with Him and their fruitfulness for Jesus’ Kingdom.
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The very things we pray for were already accomplished by Jesus on the cross,
but they will be made manifest by our belief as vessels unto God.