A Fear November 27, 2007
I have a confession. I have a fear of fasting. I have a real fear of being very hungry. I think this really came into play for me as I’ve gotten a little older and have had children. Because now I occasionally get ill when I don’t eat regularly. I sometimes get light headed, weak and feel sick to my stomach. These feelings usually happen when I happen to be pregnant or nursing at the time. Because I’ve been either pregnant or nursing nearly nonstop for the past 8 years, I haven’t had much opportunity to fast. But during these past 8 years I’ve grown a real fear of being hungry to the point that I almost always leave the house with a snack, just in case I start to feel low. So now, even though I’m not pregnant and I’m almost finished nursing, I am really worried about fasting. I’m afraid of getting hungry and feeling sick. Though, it seems like that would be less likely to happen to me now that I don’t have such huge demands on my body from a baby. And yet, the fear remains.
I remember fasting when I was a teen. I recall waking up on Sunday mornings to be reminded that it was Fast Sunday. So I would just go without breakfast. That is what I did. I don’t ever remember actually fasting for any real reason when I was younger. Looking back I think, what a waste! I could have be enjoying my breakfast all those years! What’s the use of just skipping breakfast? I guess I just didn’t have any real reasons to fast for. And in those days I didn’t feel very close to Heavenly Father or religious things. I guess I was just young.
Then when I got married I still didn’t fast too much. Let’s face it, going without food isn’t exactly fun. So I never felt motivated to do it. Then once I got into my childbearing stage of life, fasting just wasn’t an option. Pretty much, I haven’t really done much serious fasting. I can honestly say that I don’t have a personal testimony of fasting. It has not been witnessed to me because I have not seriously done it. I’d like to gain a testimony of fasting. But now I’ve got this fear in the forefront of my mind…what will I do when I get hungry? Can I really last 24 hours?? What if the worst happens and I physically get ill? Will I fail? Will I never be as close to Heavenly Father as all those “real fasters” out there?
I wish I knew what to do. I wish I knew where to begin. It’s so hard to just jump in when for so many years now I’ve felt this fear of hunger. I want to fast for the right reasons. I know it should be a sacrifice for me. But man, I’m so scared.
Remember, fasting is an act of faith. I promise you that if approach it with humility and prayer, you will have a wonderful experience. I always thought it was easier to skip dinner the night before and breakfast the next day. The majority of the fasting time is when you are sleeping. Also remember to eat a meal of protein. It will stay with you longer than a carbohydrate meal before fasting.
Everytime you get hungry or thirsty, just think of Christ and his sacrifice. It is a real blessing.
Good luck.
i hate fasting. i have done it, but still don’t really have a testimony of it. now, i have medicines that i must take with food that i couldn’t do without and make it through church. i guess i could fast on a day that didn’t involve sitting so much. but i really don’t want to (true confessions).
Carolyn, I just finished nursing a few weeks ago and I’m pretty much in the same boat. We can’t be perfect in this life–fasting is one of my imperfections!
I heard something on the radio last week about the physical benefits of fasting–that it’s healthy to give your body a break from digestion occasionally, or something like that. So after stuffing myself and feeling yucky for it over the holiday, I thought I’d just not eat for a couple meals and see if I felt better–not a spiritual fast, just a physical one. I couldn’t do it. It just wasn’t a good enough reason to make myself feel hungry for any length of time.
I think that’s why a spiritual fast is easier if you have a purpose– something to focus on besides your growling tummy and lightheadedness. Even my kids can (and do) skip breakfast when they are focused on Saturday morning cartoons.
I don’t have a huge testimony of fasting either, but I have the desire to gain one and so do you, and that’s gotta count for something. I think the key is just to give it a shot and keep trying. This scripture reminds me that the way to get a testimony is to put the commandments to the test–to do what we are supposed to do and see the blessings come: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (John 7:17)
One other thought–some people can never fast because of health reasons. If they live the spirit of the fast though–humility, prayer, purpose, etc.–I’m guessing they can still enjoy the full blessings of fasting. Something to work for anyway.