Physical exercise will not only help our bones to get stronger but help with balance and coordination and keeping off extra pounds. Do we give up exercise when we get tired? No, rather we persevere, focusing on the end result. Fasting, on the other hand, is a spiritual exercise that enables us to grow and fight the battle against sin and weakness. It is a weapon against every force that will take our satisfaction in God away from us.

    “Yet even now,” says the Lord,

    “return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

                                                                        Joel 2:12

Fasting represents a heart of faith towards God, our dissatisfaction with our sins, and our longing for more of Christ.

Fasting is essential to our Christian race as it helps us hear from God, strengthens our intimacy with God, reveal those hidden sins and build our faith. The devil, the flesh and the world  will try to keep us away from fasting by introducing distractions.

Let us take our eyes off the things of the world and focus on God this Lent. Do not get tired of fasting by becoming flesh – oriented or entertainment – oriented, but let us reconnect with the spiritual dimensions of fasting. It is a sacrificial lifestyle before God. Thin your life to thicken your relationship with God. Let God know that you are serious with your relationship with Him. Hold on.