Fasting

Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Matthew 6:16-18 

6 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

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I have to say. I am terrible at fasting. I didn't grow up fasting. I don't think I even learned about fasting and I didn't know anybody who fasted (or maybe they did and I just didn't know it). I've tried it a few times and truthfully I hate it. I love food. I think about food a lot. I also don't always understand fasting. So I've 'successfully' fasted a few times but not sure how spiritual it really was. 

I want to fast. I believe it is important. Jesus commands us to fast. "They WILL fast", "When you fast" (not IF you fast). So it's got to be done. So my search continues. I do want to understand it better before I regularly fast. Otherwise I just get angry and starve myself but don't know why. Boy do I get angry. Anyway, on my search to learn more I came across this short video. It's the best explanation I've gotten so far and I've listened to a few sermons.

Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kzJRABgLXw

"I need you"

"I want you"

"I long for you

"You are my treasure"

"I want more of you"

"Fasting is the exclamation point at the end of those sentence." - John Piper

GAH I need more of God. I do need more of a desire. Because sometimes I am still so apathetic!