The Lent season is time for me to grow closer to the Lord. In the past, I would give something as a token sacrifice. I once stopped drinking soda for these 40 days and then indulged after Easter. It was more about avoiding my token than growing closer to the Lord. Since I struggle with temptations of excess food and a distorted body image, I once used Lenten fasting as an opportunity to diet. The weight never left for good and I gained nothing spiritually.

Isaiah 58:6 is, “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.”

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015

God’s fasting is about living a life that serves Him. Any sacrifice I do should help me grow closer to Him. When I give up something to focus on Jesus, I grow spiritually. Recently, I have slipped into stress eating when I should be praying. This Lent, I am going to pray instead of reaching for snacks. By fasting from snacking, I can grow spiritually and gain health.