A Fresh Perspective on Fasting

A Fresh Perspective on Fasting

By Elisa Morgan

I’m not a big Lent-practicer. I didn’t grow up in a tradition that observed Lent and while many in my current environment include a focus of Lent, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-do for me. I’ve cut out certain foods and beverages, quarter-in-a-jarred bad words and followed various daily readings. Both in and out of the season of Lent, I’ve fasted only a few times and not very well as my weird body experiences annoying blood sugar slumps when it goes without food. 

But recently a friend sent me these words of Pope Francis about fasting during Lent. His wisdom poked at my heart, inviting change.

See if you agree?

• Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

• Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

• Fast from worries and have trust in God.

• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

• Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

• Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.

• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Now, let me add some of my own…

• Fast from judgment and embrace the reality of who others are.

• Fast from doing doing doing and embrace being being being.

• Fast from controlling and yield in relinquishment.

Want to add your own – and join me?

Okay, so we can’t will ourselves to be better people by observing a long list of what to fast from. But perhaps something on this list stirs your heart as it has mine. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit in and open ourselves to being molded by God more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

Elisa Morgan is the author of Fruitful Living. She is the cohost of the podcast, God Hears Her. She is also the cohost of Discover the Word and contributor to Our Daily Bread. Her other books include Christmas Changes Everything, You are Not Alone, When We Pray Like Jesus, Hello, Beauty Full, and The Beauty of Broken. Connect with Elisa @elisamorganauthor on Facebook and Instagram.