Fasting and the Body
"Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth."
In His Name, Keith C. Wilkerson
Many of you have had a bad first introduction to fasting. And although there is a vague knowledge that fasting is good; after all, Jesus fasted; first impressions have been less than favorable. Even a few hours without food can cause headaches and discomfort. The tongue turns yellow, breath becomes foul, weakness and dizziness set in, confirming what you already suspected—fasting is undesirable, even dangerous! In talking to people about fasting, I have discovered that most people have tried to fast, at least for a day. The consequences are usually described as "bad." Some are so afraid of such negative initial reactions that they fear missing even one meal, not realizing that this reaction is the body stating its need to fast. A need to detoxify years of bad eating which will result in cleaner skin, vibrant energy and weight-loss, to mention only a few.
Now stop right here! Is not fasting for the purpose of drawing closer to God? What’s all this detoxifying, fleshy stuff? Oh how the Church forgets that the ministry of Christ was to the whole person. Jesus touched all need, all suffering with the tender hands of a Healer. Unlike other books reluctant to discuss the physiology of fasting for fear of compromising spiritual focus, or conversely, the secular-health industry going to great scientific detail while only vaguely and often wrongly addressing fasting’s invisible spiritual work, this book will address both. We will parallel the harmonious performance a fast has on the whole you. Over the following two chapters we are going to describe the miracle of this God-given tool to both body and spirit in hope of undoing nasty first impressions.
Truth is, the Western diet never allows the body to cleanse itself. The negative experience in the beginning stages of a fast is a lifetime of built-up toxins dramatically detoxifying in a short period of time. Our unhealthy lifestyle does not lend itself to easy fasting. Historically, man lived on a sparse diet, free from pesticides, food additives, drugs and toxins. Today, we consume more toxic substances than all generations before us. Levels of built-up lead in our bones can be 200 times greater compared to those excavated from the period of Christ. Through air, water, food and even mother's milk, there is absorbtion of thousands of toxins and chemicals that saturate the environment. During fasting, these toxins are released into the bloodstream making water fasting almost impossible for the first-time faster. Graciously, God has provided a way to fast, in spite of the abuse to the body. Juice fasting can be used as a launching pad for deeper, water fasting.
There is a vast difference between fasting and starving. During the absence of food, the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. It continually readjusts to make minimum demands on reserves. Starvation will occur only when the body is forced to use vital tissue to survive.
Humans adapt amazingly well to lack of food. A. J. Carlson, Professor of Physiology, University of Chicago, states that a healthy, well-nourished man can live from 50 to 75 days without food, provided he is not exposed to harsh elements or emotional stress. There are numerous examples of water fasts over the 75-day mark. Granted, 75-day water fasts are unusual, but it shows that God has wonderfully created the body to be able to live for extended periods without food.
Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound. Each extra pound of fat will supply enough calories for one day of hard physical labor. Ten pounds of fat are equal to 35,000 calories! This is equivalent to 35 pounds of fish or 192 pounds of carrots, good value for your fat. We carry around a supermarket of reserves, capable of sustaining us for many weeks.
All living things have the ability to survive harsh circumstances. Organisms are able to store nutrients in the fat, blood, bone marrow and other tissues. Camels are capable of storing fat and water in their humps; tadpoles abstain from eating when their legs are developing, subsisting on their tails, which are no longer needed. The Mexican Gila Monster stores up reserves in its tail when food is plentiful and can survive for six weeks when food is scarce. The marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands is named the Vegetarian Dragon because it lives on seaweed. It can abstain from food for over one hundred days. In the Western World, food is plentiful and often rich in calories. Unless involved in strenuous exercise or famine we do not have the opportunity to use up the excessive fat stores conveniently deposited around the expanding waistline.
Our body goes into a state of fasting while we sleep. With great patience, it waits until we start dozing off, and finally, in the sleep state, begins its miraculous work of cleansing. Breakfast is appropriately named, breaking a nightly fast with a morning meal. Upon awakening from this short fast, the tongue is coated, breath foul, skin puffy, and the mind foggy. These are all early symptoms of the body in a state of detoxification, short little holidays taken every night from a life of feasting. Bacon, eggs, a side order of pancakes, and a cup of coffee is a sure way of halting detoxification—of course, you feel instantly better, attributing it to a greasy breakfast.
One of the blessings you will experience later in a fast is effervescent energy when rising out of bed in the morning. No sleepy dirt or puffy eyes; your hair in perfect place. A breath sweet as the morning mist that flows over hills covered in spring flowers. Fasting, followed by a healthy diet, is the way of rediscovering the birth of a new day.
Aum
"Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth."
In His Name, Keith C. Wilkerson
Many of you have had a bad first introduction to fasting. And although there is a vague knowledge that fasting is good; after all, Jesus fasted; first impressions have been less than favorable. Even a few hours without food can cause headaches and discomfort. The tongue turns yellow, breath becomes foul, weakness and dizziness set in, confirming what you already suspected—fasting is undesirable, even dangerous! In talking to people about fasting, I have discovered that most people have tried to fast, at least for a day. The consequences are usually described as "bad." Some are so afraid of such negative initial reactions that they fear missing even one meal, not realizing that this reaction is the body stating its need to fast. A need to detoxify years of bad eating which will result in cleaner skin, vibrant energy and weight-loss, to mention only a few.
Now stop right here! Is not fasting for the purpose of drawing closer to God? What’s all this detoxifying, fleshy stuff? Oh how the Church forgets that the ministry of Christ was to the whole person. Jesus touched all need, all suffering with the tender hands of a Healer. Unlike other books reluctant to discuss the physiology of fasting for fear of compromising spiritual focus, or conversely, the secular-health industry going to great scientific detail while only vaguely and often wrongly addressing fasting’s invisible spiritual work, this book will address both. We will parallel the harmonious performance a fast has on the whole you. Over the following two chapters we are going to describe the miracle of this God-given tool to both body and spirit in hope of undoing nasty first impressions.
Truth is, the Western diet never allows the body to cleanse itself. The negative experience in the beginning stages of a fast is a lifetime of built-up toxins dramatically detoxifying in a short period of time. Our unhealthy lifestyle does not lend itself to easy fasting. Historically, man lived on a sparse diet, free from pesticides, food additives, drugs and toxins. Today, we consume more toxic substances than all generations before us. Levels of built-up lead in our bones can be 200 times greater compared to those excavated from the period of Christ. Through air, water, food and even mother's milk, there is absorbtion of thousands of toxins and chemicals that saturate the environment. During fasting, these toxins are released into the bloodstream making water fasting almost impossible for the first-time faster. Graciously, God has provided a way to fast, in spite of the abuse to the body. Juice fasting can be used as a launching pad for deeper, water fasting.
There is a vast difference between fasting and starving. During the absence of food, the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. It continually readjusts to make minimum demands on reserves. Starvation will occur only when the body is forced to use vital tissue to survive.
Humans adapt amazingly well to lack of food. A. J. Carlson, Professor of Physiology, University of Chicago, states that a healthy, well-nourished man can live from 50 to 75 days without food, provided he is not exposed to harsh elements or emotional stress. There are numerous examples of water fasts over the 75-day mark. Granted, 75-day water fasts are unusual, but it shows that God has wonderfully created the body to be able to live for extended periods without food.
Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound. Each extra pound of fat will supply enough calories for one day of hard physical labor. Ten pounds of fat are equal to 35,000 calories! This is equivalent to 35 pounds of fish or 192 pounds of carrots, good value for your fat. We carry around a supermarket of reserves, capable of sustaining us for many weeks.
All living things have the ability to survive harsh circumstances. Organisms are able to store nutrients in the fat, blood, bone marrow and other tissues. Camels are capable of storing fat and water in their humps; tadpoles abstain from eating when their legs are developing, subsisting on their tails, which are no longer needed. The Mexican Gila Monster stores up reserves in its tail when food is plentiful and can survive for six weeks when food is scarce. The marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands is named the Vegetarian Dragon because it lives on seaweed. It can abstain from food for over one hundred days. In the Western World, food is plentiful and often rich in calories. Unless involved in strenuous exercise or famine we do not have the opportunity to use up the excessive fat stores conveniently deposited around the expanding waistline.
Our body goes into a state of fasting while we sleep. With great patience, it waits until we start dozing off, and finally, in the sleep state, begins its miraculous work of cleansing. Breakfast is appropriately named, breaking a nightly fast with a morning meal. Upon awakening from this short fast, the tongue is coated, breath foul, skin puffy, and the mind foggy. These are all early symptoms of the body in a state of detoxification, short little holidays taken every night from a life of feasting. Bacon, eggs, a side order of pancakes, and a cup of coffee is a sure way of halting detoxification—of course, you feel instantly better, attributing it to a greasy breakfast.
One of the blessings you will experience later in a fast is effervescent energy when rising out of bed in the morning. No sleepy dirt or puffy eyes; your hair in perfect place. A breath sweet as the morning mist that flows over hills covered in spring flowers. Fasting, followed by a healthy diet, is the way of rediscovering the birth of a new day.
Aum
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