Jumpstart Your Health With Fasting

An article published by WebMD and a HealthDay News study revealed that Americans are trying to lose weight in record numbers. The report said that 49.3 percent of people ages 20 and older are taking steps to slim down. However, other studies show that despite many efforts to lose weight, the efforts and New Year resolutions fall by February.

The constant futility is because people typically limit their quest for excellent health to food control and fitness conditioning. While those are prominent areas to consider, the real focal point needs to be on something originated by God—fasting. Fasting is the number one way to jumpstart your overall health. God designed the greatest equalizer for health when He introduced the concept of fasting. There are proven cases where fasting has helped people with medical and mental illnesses, physical and emotional impairment, and even relational drama. Fasting is powerful and productive because it is primarily a spiritual matter with undeniably positive effects on your health.

One of the most relevant connections to healthy living/fasting concerning Biblical study is the life of Daniel. After being captured, Daniel lived in an environment where a mandate forced people to eat the king's food. Because the custom was to offer food to idols, Daniel objected!

Daniel 1:8, 12-16 says, "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king." 12 'Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,' Daniel said. 13 'At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.' 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others."

As a result of Daniel's obedience to fasting, he and his friends prospered physically. Their courageous step, which began with honoring God, also earned them favor with the king and led to their promotion.

God desires to do similar work in your life, provided you trust Him with prayer and fasting. Remember, your health is more than a fad diet or a gym membership. As you take steps of faith, God will bless you with discipline and wisdom to get healthy.