When fasting, how do you explain to coworkers that you are not eating?

[Belonging to Abba]

In my company, people bring in food often, and so it is likely to be noticed if I am not eating. I have tried fasting recently and people almost found out. I broke a fast prematurely, and the next morning there was a pancake breakfast which I partook of. Later that day, one of my coworkers asked me conversationally if I ate any of the breakfast. If I had prolonged my fast and not ate the breakfast, he would have found out just by asking me.

There are often carry in meal events, or food ordered in from restaurants. There is also a coworker who often buys a meal at Wendy's that I think may have 5 items, and she usually gives me her chicken nuggets because it is too much for her.

I am kind of struggling with what to tell these people if I decide to go on a fast. If there is food offered and they ask me about it, or the lady wants to give me chicken nuggets, I could just say, “This is a day where I am cutting back”. However if my boss orders a special meal that is delivered to the workplace, if I can't eat it, I may explain that I am fasting in order to not be rude, especially if I have been on the fast for a few days, where my digestive system would be overloaded by a normal meal if I don't break the fast properly.

Jesus instructed people not to share with others that they are fasting. However I don't only want to fast for spiritual purposes, but I am interested in the weight loss benefits. I could just explain to coworkers that I skip meals sometimes to lose weight, so that I avoid exalting myself in their eyes spiritually, and it is possible that some days of my fast may not be all that spiritual in nature, but more for the weight loss. I am still interested in the spiritual benefits too, though, to some extent.

Something that I am uncomfortable with is that in American culture, where there seems to be a lot of misinformation that everyone has to have three meals a day, if people know that I am fasting or skipping meals, they might think that I have an eating disorder, when that is not necessarily true. I look relatively thin, and wearing a loose T-shirt, people can't easily notice the excess belly fat that has accumulated.

If the lady has extra chicken nuggets to give me from her meal at Wendy's, and I am fasting, I could tell her that I can put the nuggets in the freezer and eat them at a later time. Usually if I am not available to eat them, she will put them in the fridge, and the nuggets last for two or three days. However I am thinking of doing a much longer fast possibly where I can still drink juice.

I also want to mention that I have found it easy to give into temptation to break the fast after just about 2 days. If I can get past three days, than it kind of locks myself out from most food because a fast three days or longer is not healthy to break by eating processed food, bread, or meats, but only by eating some fruit or vegetables.

I could also explain to my coworkers the health benefits of fasting, such as the body removing damaged cellular material during a fast. I could also explain that I am trying to follow the example in nature, where an animal may build up fat reserves for migration or hibernation, and then, when they are not eating, their body consumes the fat reserves.

 

[Joseph G]

Hi Belonging. In my humble opinion, you have all the right attitudes about fasting. My own personal opinion is that there's no reason to deny we're fasting if asked, though. Like you it's my opinion that it's all about motivation.

Like public prayer, there are plenty of examples of where believers practice it. The admonition is to not do long, flowery ones to be praised by men.

Or giving, to not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. And yet Jesus advised those present to note the poor widow's example of giving the ultimate in faith.

Also, in reference to good works, not to do them for the praise of men. And yet, Jesus also says not to hide our light so that, specifically, men could see our good works and praise God.

All about heart attitude, and again I believe you got it. So don't worry about if you're asked. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words.

I also found this advice from a poster on reddit (of all places), that I believe might be helpful to consider, too...

"Throughout Jesus ministry he taught that it's not our actions that are the problem but the intent and motivation behind those actions. Telling people you are fasting when they ask isn't the issue Jesus is addressing, it's WHY they were fasting that he was focused on. The hypocrites he was talking about were fasting with the intent of making sure everyone knew how religious and righteous they were. Not to get closer to God and His will and worship him. They would parade around being dramatic about how much they were suffering for God so as many people as possible could see what great "godly" men they were and so the faster could laud it over others and had nothing to do with humility and sacrifice. It was "look at me aren't I great" instead of "look at God, isn't he great?" That's what Christ was addressing, their heart and motivation. One of selfishness in an act that's supposed to be selfless. In your instance that's like you going up to random people and saying "oh I'm so hungry and weak but I'm super obedient so I'm fasting. have you fasted? Oh, no? Well REAL Christians fast like I am".

But telling a friend "I can't eat that I'm on a fast but ty." Or "hey, God led me to fast for his glory, so can you keep an eye on me and make sure I don't overdo things or put myself in a dangerous position?" Is not what they were doing and not what Christ was addressing. You really should tell those close to you so they can be aware of what you are doing and support you or at least not offer you food. Totally different motivation."

God bless!

 

[Belonging to Abba]

Thanks for the helpful information. I may just tell my coworkers that I am cutting back or skipping meals sometimes for losing weight and they may not know about the spiritual purposes. If asked more about why, I might share the spiritual purposes.