5 Surprising Spiritual Benefits of Water Fasting
First, let’s back up. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, this does seem like an oxymoron: Fasting and water just don’t sound like they go together! But trust me on this one… water fasting can have some pretty amazing spiritual benefits that you might not be prepared for. I’ve found that there are spiritual benefits of water fasting beyond just weight loss or detoxing your body – the experience really rewired my brain in some unexpected ways. Here are the five of them!
1. It Can Help You Develop a Deeper Connection with God
Water fasting has been used for centuries to draw closer to God. In fact, the Bible mentions that Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights when he was tempted by Satan. It is a spiritual discipline that teaches self-control, humility, and discernment–qualities that are important when it comes to being closer to God.
Fasting also brings physical benefits such as weight loss and increased mental clarity. One report published in The International Journal of Cardiology found that water fasting led to less hypertension and heart disease in people with metabolic syndrome
Another study from Loma Linda University found that water fasting led to improved insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes
2. It Can Help You Let Go of Unhealthy Attachments
You may be surprised to learn that fasting can help you let go of unhealthy attachments, but it’s true. There are a few different ways this can happen. For starters, when you’re used to eating three times a day, fasting might feel like deprivation and make you more aware of what your attachment to food really is.
It also forces you to focus on the present moment which means your mind isn’t preoccupied with thoughts about food or anything else. Fasting gives your body time to rest and heal from any damage caused by overeating or other harmful habits.
When you fast, your body will start detoxifying and releasing toxins. These toxins have been linked to conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer so it’s important to give your body a chance to recover every now and then.
3. It Can Help You Develop Greater Self-Discipline
If you’re looking for spiritual benefits from a water fast, one of the most common is that it can help you develop greater self-discipline. The idea is that because fasting involves self-denial, it has the potential to build your character and make you more able to resist temptations in everyday life. It’s thought that if you can deny yourself food, then resisting other urges will be easier.
Another benefit is that water fasting can lead to feelings of clarity and focus. When your mind isn’t clouded by hunger or exhaustion, it becomes much easier to concentrate on the tasks at hand. It Can Help You Become More Self-Aware: Studies have shown that during fasting periods, people are often better able to control their emotional reactions.
They Become More Centered: A few studies have also suggested that this practice might provide increased awareness about oneself and create space for self-reflection. One participant said: I’m more aware of how my body feels… I just feel like I’m centered.
4. It Can Help You Become More Compassionate
Water fasting has many surprising spiritual benefits.
And one of the most important ones is that it can help you become more compassionate.
The reason for this is that when you fast on water, your body begins to release endorphins and dopamine in response to the lack of food.
Dopamine makes you feel euphoric and increases sociability, while endorphins make you more empathetic to others around you. When your brain starts releasing these neurotransmitters, it becomes easier to be kind and generous to other people- including those who are in need of support.
What’s more, since you don’t have any distractions from hunger or cravings during a water fast, you also have a clearer mind which means that you may notice things about yourself that you didn’t know before.
5. It Can Help You Increase Your Faith
Water fasting can increase your faith and help you to feel more connected to God. It can give you the opportunity to spend time in prayer, read your Bible, and meditate on the things that are most important. In addition, it can help you recognize what is truly important in life.
You will learn how to take care of yourself physically and mentally which will make you stronger spiritually over time. Plus, water fasting does not have negative side effects like some other diets do.
That makes it a safer option for those who want to find spirituality without jeopardizing their health. While it may seem intimidating at first, a person’s spiritual growth may depend on how they handle the challenge of water fasting.
I hope these insights about the spiritual benefits of water fasting inspire you to try this new way of nourishing your body!
Conclusion
The spiritual benefits of water fasting have been around for centuries, but it’s a practice that’s often overlooked in today’s society. However, the power of water fasting and its ability to connect you to your spirituality can be amazing. If you’re looking for a healthy lifestyle change that will make you feel spiritually fulfilled, then give water fasting a try!
