Fasting

Today's reading is Chapter 4, "Fasting." Again, the author points come from Foster's separate 2014 essay, not verified chapter wording. In that essay, fasting means setting aside normal functions for a time so you can pay concentrated attention to God. In Foster's framing, it exposes the attachments that control us, and it seeks God, not leverage over him or status among people.

A safety word first. This guide does not ask you to skip food or fluids, change any medication, or try anything medically risky. If you have health conditions, are pregnant, have a history of disordered eating, or are unsure, do not fast from food. Talk with a doctor first. Everything below works with something safer: a short, limited pause from a habit.

Now to Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus says, "When you fast." Not if. He assumes his followers will do it. But he warns about people who make their faces look gloomy so others notice. Their fasting becomes a billboard. His instruction is to anoint your head and wash your face, so that nobody can tell. Think of it as simply carrying on with an ordinary day while something quiet happens between you and God.

Notice how often these verses mention the reward. People who perform get their reward "in full," meaning they get exactly what they were after: attention. The Father who sees in secret will reward, though Jesus does not say how. This is not a trade. A fast is not a way to push God into doing what we want.

So what does a limited pause reveal? This is where fasting gets honest. When you step away from something you lean on, like constant scrolling, background noise, or a daily habit of buying things, you may feel a strong tug. That tug is information. It tells you what has quietly been steering you. Many of us find out how tightly we hold something only when we try to loosen our grip.

Here is how to keep the exercise pointed toward God. Name the purpose before you begin, such as "I'm doing this to give attention to you." Then turn each urge into a prayer. When the pull comes, say a short sentence: "God, you are my help." The craving becomes a reminder instead of a defeat.

And keep it private. You do not need to announce it. If someone asks, a simple answer is fine. If it goes badly, that is also useful information, and no cause for shame. The aim is not to prove strength. The aim is to see yourself clearly and turn toward the One who feeds you in better ways.