Fasting and Sacrifice

The concept is common amongst the world's religions: give of yourself until you feel it. Fasting and other forms of sacrifice and self-deprivation are universally acknowledged sources of penance, but are also opportunities of prayer, meditation, and appreciation through focus.

When you deprive yourself of something, say food, for example, you become much more focused on it. You dwell on the need for it and build on your appreciation for it, including being thankful to God that you are blessed to have perpetual access to it and for all of the wonderful flavors. When you fast, you build up anticipation, too, for when you do finally eat. Fasting is also a great time to pray. For starters, it gets you focused on something other than hunger :). But really, it's a prime time to get in tune with God. When you are fasting, hunger ends up getting your full attention. Turn that full attention toward communication with God.

Sacrifice, even in the short term, like going around your house for 30 minutes with your eyes fully closed to appreciate your sight, helps build your ability to focus and appreciate on the gifts God has given you. Sacrifice, in all its meaningful expressions, also shows God that you mean business, that you set out to remind yourself, e.g. through fasting, that you truly appreciate and focus on your blessings.

I do know that God accepts fasting and sacrifice as penance for sins, but any and all details of that are completely left to God. But regardless, what does it hurt if it gets you to focus and appreciate things in your life?

Fasting and sacrifice are also great ways to increase the joy in your life. Stop watching television for a week. Fast for 24 hours. Don't use the computer for two days. Go without coffee for 6 hours. Okay, I've gone too far, but you get the idea. And after you go some time without something that may have been omnipresent in your life, you will find great joy when it is back in your life. And a new level of appreciation.

Try this. You'll be better for it.