“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that others may see their fasting.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

The call of fasting for the believer is not an ‘if’ but a “when.” Jesus clearly said, “When you fast. . .” I’m no stranger to fasting. Over the years, my heart and love for the Lord have grown through the practice of fasting. I have not always viewed fasting as a way of changing my heart but rather as a way of changing God’s mind and somehow getting more focused attention from Him. More recently, my understanding is growing with each fast that the practice of fasting is a way of aligning my heart with His and not His with mine.  

Fasting is a scary subject for some of us. The thought of going even a few hours without eating in a world that tells us to eat six meals per day or snack in between meals can be confusing. The idea of fasting goes against my flesh and doesn’t always feel comfortable. However, what I love about fasting is that it works out so well when answering His invitation. When I am called in my spirit by His Spirit into a fasting period, I know that I’m not doing it in my own power because I am weak. I will fail every time I try without His power to strengthen me. 

If you’ve ever fasted, you know the mental clarity that it can bring. The time not spent eating or preparing meals for yourself can be redeemed for time spent meditating on the Word and praying. And when I start to feel my stomach yelling for a meal, He’s there to give me strength. His Word tells us that while the Israelites were in the desert, He let them feel hungry to remind them that He is their source of life. “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3

His Word brings life! We can trust Him in a fast because we know that He is the one who sustains us. He is life! 

Fasting brings this reminder of dependence on our Heavenly Father. He is faithful to sustain us, realign us to Him, and strengthen us even and especially while fasting. He is our source, our life, and we can feast on every Word that He has spoken.

But fasting itself isn’t the only way God chooses to show us that He is our sustainer. A few years ago, soon after our third baby was born, I was experiencing significant postpartum anxiety. I had no reason to be anxious, but the feelings were strong and often came on suddenly. To complicate matters, I was also learning to navigate a new symptom of postpartum life: high blood pressure. Several times, I would wake up from a deep sleep and get hit with waves of anxious feelings that would leave me feeling so alone and afraid.  My husband would pray for me and read scripture to me, but I honestly felt plagued and tormented.  

It was about 4 am on December 4, 2022, and I had just fed my sweet baby boy, who was only 6 weeks old at the time. That was his last feeding for the next few hours, and I was longing for sleep. As any mother, new or old, could imagine, I was weary and sleep-deprived from the first few weeks of postpartum life. My body was tired and stressed with the recovery from the c-section birth and the trauma that postpartum preeclampsia had gifted me. I was battling insomnia, and the baby was fussy and not happy about going back into his crib next to our bed. 

I prayed. I begged Jesus for sleep. I was so tired. I began to recall Bible verses I had memorized all my life. As I inhaled for another sigh, I began to smell bread. Freshly baked bread. Immediately, the Spirit reminded me of scripture . . .

Jesus said to them, “I AM the bread of life. . .” (John 6:35)

“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Both of these words that Jesus spoke and quoted from the Old Testament to the enemy when he tried to tempt Him in the desert. The Word is our Weapon!

It was a sweet reminder of His goodness and that He is all I need. As soon as I acknowledged that truth in my heart, the entire room was undeniably filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. The scent was more intense than my exhaustion and anxiety. It was as if I was walking into a bakery full of fresh bread, and then the baby and I drifted off to sleep.

He didn’t have to do this for me. Jesus did not have to answer my prayers. He’s under no obligation to take away my pains and frustrations, but in His kindness, He gave me what I asked from Him and piled more on top! 

Where are you today? Have you heard the call from the Holy Spirit to submit to fasting even if you’ve never experienced that before? If so, know that God will meet you in that place and give you strength in return for your surrender of food or whatever He’s calling you to abstain from. Or are you the beggar, as I was, so tired and in need of the rest He gives. If so, then you can be certain that He will sustain you no less even when you have nothing to give up to Him. He is ever faithful and loves to lavish you with good things. Both fasting from the things we are abstaining from and begging for what we need brings this reminder of dependence on our Heavenly Father. 

Ardently His,

Jessica

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