Fasting for healing – detox your body
FEBRUARY 4TH, 2013
Isaiah 58: 6-14 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
God gives us many wonderful keys for spiritual growth – keys such as speaking and reading His Word, praise, prayer, faith and also fasting.
Don’t let your life be locked up because you are not using all of your keys. Fasting is a key to total health in every part of your being.
Fasting is not the easiest of disciplines, but it’s not the hardest either. (If you have a disease or health problems, check with your physician to see if it is safe for you.) If it is, fasting can provide an especially close time with your heavenly Father. If you can begin the discipline of fasting for even one day per month, you will feel fresh, renewed, and cleansed in body, mind, and soul. And you will experience a special fellowship with God as you deny your physical desire for food and turn your focus on God.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is a denial of self. When you deny yourself, you position the Lord as everything in your life. This breaks the bonds of oppression. It causes things to change. Deliberately denying yourself food for a set period of time in order to give yourself more completely to prayer and closer communication with God has great rewards.
There are many religions in which fasting is a regular spiritual practice. There are also many people who fast who have no religious beliefs related to fasting but want a natural cure or cleansing for the body.
We as believers in Jesus Christ who take seriously the written WORD of God, must do our fasting unto the Lord to honour, worship, and glorify Him. It is not just a religious exercise; it’s a step of obedience to God for the purpose of ministering unto Him. This is a personal matter between you and God – an offering to Him – and should be approached prayerfully and by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting goes hand in hand with prayer, so always fast with the intent of praying too. Fasting is not intended to twist God’s arm into getting what you want out of Him, or something you do to win His approval, but it is a time of offering your concerns to Him.
If you desire to delve into the discipline of fasting, or if you already do it, take the time to read all of Isaiah 58 every time you fast. It’s rich with purpose, promises and truth. This passage describes the kind of fasting God desires – the kind of fast He has chosen, what fasting is intended to accomplish, and what the promise is for those who fast. God will speak to you through it. It also serves as a reminder of what you should do: “Share your food with the hungry,” “provide the poor wanderer with shelter,” and do not “turn away from your own flesh and blood.” And God tells you of the rewards: “Your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear,” and “the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer.” Ultimately, you are assured that “you will find your joy in the LORD.” (Taken from the book ‘The Power of Praying through the Bible’ by Stormie Omartian – pg 227)
NOW…..all that, is worth skipping a meal for and praying instead…..don’t you agree????
10 Incredible Health Benefits of Fasting
1. Fasting Promotes detoxification
Processed foods contain lots of additives. These additives may become toxins in the body. Some of them promote production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Most of these toxins are stored in fats. Fat is burnt during fasting, especially when it is prolonged. And the toxins are released. The liver, kidneys and other organs in the body are involved in detoxification.
2. Fasting Rests Digestive System
During fasting, the digestive organs rest. The normal physiologic functions continue especially production of digestive secretions, but at reduced rates. This exercise helps to maintain balance of fluids in the body. Breakdown of food takes place at steady rates. Release of energy also follows a gradual pattern. Fasting however does not stop production of acids in the stomach. This is reason patients with peptic ulcer are advised to approach fasting with caution. Some experts believe they should not fast.
3. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response
Some studies show that fasting promotes resolution of inflammatory diseases and allergies. Examples of such inflammatory diseases are rheumatoid arthritis and skin diseases such as psoriasis. Some experts assert that fasting may promote healing of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
4. Fasting Reduces Blood Sugar
Fasting increases breakdown of glucose so that the body can get energy. It reduces production of insulin. This rests the pancreas. Glucagon is produced to facilitate the breakdown of glucose. The outcome of fasting is a reduction in blood sugar.
5. Fasting Increases Fat breakdown
The first response of the body to fasting is break down of glucose. When the store of glucose is exhausted, ketosis begins. This is break down of fats to release energy. The fats stored in kidney and muscles are broken down to release energy.
6. Fasting Corrects high blood Pressure
Fasting is one of the non-drug methods of reducing blood pressure. It helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is clogging of arteries by fat particles. During fasting glucose and later, fat stores are used to produce energy. Metabolic rate is reduced during fasting. The fear-flight hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are also reduced. This keeps the metabolic steady and within limits. The benefit is a reduction in blood pressure.
7. Fasting Promotes Weight loss
Fasting promotes rapid weight loss. It reduces the store of fats in the body. However fasting is not a good weight loss strategy. Reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing fruits and rest are better measures to achieve weight reduction.
8. Fasting Promotes Healthy diet
It has been observed that fasting reduces craving for processed foods. It promotes desire for natural foods, especially water and fruits. This is one way fasting promote healthy lifestyle.
9. Fasting Boosts Immunity
When an individual is on balanced diet in between fasts, this can boost immunity. Elimination of toxins and reduction in fat store also helps the body. When individuals take fruits to break a fast, they increase the body's store of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E are good antioxidants readily available in fruits. They help to boost immunity.
10. Fasting May Help to Overcome Addictions
Some authors show that fasting can help addicts reduce their cravings, for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and other substance abuse. Although there are other regimens required to resolve addictions, fasting can play a role.
NB: Despite these benefits, prolonged fasting has some demerits. It may cause reduction in body water called dehydration. This may lead to headaches and even trigger migraines in predisposed persons (so it is best to drink plenty of water when you are fasting). It may worsen heartburn and peptic ulcer. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, malnourished people, and individuals with cardiac arrhythmias, renal or liver problems are advised not to fast.
http://voices.yahoo.com/10-incredible-health-benefits-fasting-11621130.html
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The information given here is for educational purposes only. It is meant to be used as a guide towards health and does not replace the evaluation by and advice of a qualified licensed health care professional. For detailed interpretation of your health and specific conditions, consult with your physician.