Current Events Monday: Is Fasting Good for You?
What’s with the plethora of profoundly bias prognosticators of online health information? A cursory glance at browser search results regarding fasting or healthy eating may lead one to exhaustion due to the overwhelming amount of conflicting information. A popular mantra of the past two years has been, “Trust the science.” Yet, we probably should ask questions, “Who’s science,” and “What’s the bias of the researchers whose science we’re told to trust?”
If we drill down, we fortunately can find some well-done, time-tested medical research—the kind that is not sexy enough to cause Twitter wars or red-faced arguments about mask mandates and the like. In fact, check out this link for some helpful papers on the benefits of fasting: Health Benefits of Fasting and Caloric Restriction – PubMed (nih.gov). It looks like there is substantial evidence that fasting can help us feel better and think clearer.
But why talk about fasting during the Holidays? Isn’t it a time for feasting? Well, that’s your call. There are no legalistic biblical mandates about fasting. Jesus seems to have assumed that most folks of his time fasted for religious reasons, and he himself fasted after his baptism. He was more concerned with our not bringing attention to ourselves during a fast and/or trying to make ourselves look more spiritual than others (Matthew 6:16-18). In other words, fasting is not for show and definitely not for bragging rights or applause.
During the Advent season, our church is encouraged to pray for wisdom for at least five minutes a day and to fast from something—be it food, television, social media, etc. We can use the extra time from other activities (even eating) to read Scripture and pray. The key here lies within the heart of the participant. Invite God to point out that which may be taking away from your relationship with Him. It’s scientifically proven that your body and mind can reap tremendous benefits from such a practice. And the best thing is that it’s between you and God! Such disciplines are not for scoring religious points but for strengthening your relationship and fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!