As Lent is in full swing, people observe or participate in a variety of ways. For some, the temptation to abuse Lent appears; instead of allowing it to be a sacred moment, it becomes some kind of weight loss solution. Even if it has become such, it is not necessary for it to remain there. Lent concerns above all the posture of the heart before the Lord.
What is Lent?
Lent is the forty day period preceding Easter. It is about remembering and recognizing the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying before his public ministry. For many, Lent is observed by fasting in a special way. Some choose to abstain from certain foods, follow a Daniel Quickor eat only after sunset. This can also be observed by fasting or abstaining from an activity, habit or vice. Many abandon social networks, for example. It is planned to remove a practice and replace it with prayer and devotion to God, because Jesus spent time in the desert in prayer and with his Father, God.
How should we treat Lent?
Lent itself must be holy. Holy means, by definition, “set apart,” and this is to be observed in a way that honors God above all else. If our heart truly wants to focus on God, it is important to allow nothing else to come before God. The Bible often talks about idols and the dangers they pose in our lives. The thoughts we associate with idols are figurines or objects that are worshipped, but what an idol actually is may surprise you. It is all that is placed before God in your heart and devotion. The desire to lose weight during Lent has the potential to become an idol, because it precedes your desire to spend time with God in sincere devotion. Lent should be treated in such a way that nothing passes before God himself, but this is not limited to forty days in the year. If we truly want God to be first in our lives, we must remove everything we put before Him. Either He is our first and greatest love and desire or He is not. We choose where He is in our lives based on our actions and the posture of our heart.
Is it wrong to lose weight during Lent?
Losing weight during Lent may be a symptom of your actions during Lent. It’s not a bad thing to lose weight, but it shouldn’t be a goal. If the goal is to lose weight or become healthier, then it is a diet, not a heart workout. You can diet or live a healthier lifestyle at any time of the year, but you should not use Lent inappropriately. Concerning fasting, the Lord proposed Matthew 6:1-4,
“Be careful not to perform your good deeds before men to be seen by them. If you do this, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, to be honored by men. Truly, I tell you, they have already had their full reward. But when you give to the needy, let not your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your gift may be in good secret, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When it comes to fasting or any act we seek to do to be righteous before the Lord, we must be careful not to do it for the approval or praise of men. Likewise, if you happen to lose weight during your fasting period, don’t do it to receive praise from men or a lower number on the scale. Instead, do it so that you can stand before the Lord to know His heart better.
How to resist temptation
The Enemy will often seek to manipulate or abuse sacred days and hours to thwart his enemies. Despite these facts, we are not destined to fall prey to him, because God can help us overcome temptation. Even if you found yourself slipping during Lent and letting it become a weight loss plan, you’re not doomed to stay there. James 4:7 reminds us,
“Humble yourselves therefore before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When we call on the Lord in humility, He can save us from all that the Enemy seeks to twist and do. It can help you change the course of Lent, and you may even discover a deeper, more intimate understanding of what it means to be more than ever in a consecrated time before the Lord.
How Anorexia Distorted My View of Lenten Fasting
I have struggled with an eating disorder for over half my life. It started when I was in my mid-teens and manifested itself in various ways. From years of anorexia to times of bulimia, I sometimes found myself looking for ways to keep my condition under the radar. It was easy to make excuses and hide what was happening rather than recognizing that I had a problem. I remember a time of Lent when it seemed easy to hide anorexic tendencies under the guise of participating in Lent. Looking back, it’s clear what trap I found myself in and how I willingly allowed Disorder to take precedence over what was truly important at that time. I admit where I fell, but that makes me even more grateful, truly, for the grace of Jesus Christ that I am forgiven and truly forgiven. I also take comfort in knowing that if such temptations arise again, He will be there to help me deal with them. Anorexia does not have the final say on my Lent or my life; God does it.
During this Lenten season, take time to meditate and search your own heart and intentions before the Lord. As David said in Psalm 139:23-24,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”
Invite the Lord to reveal places where you need adjustment or correction. And then, with God, enter into the true and authentic abundance that is spending time before the Lord, and all the rich blessings that will come from that time. Lent is a time to prepare our hearts to remember the greatest gift of all in Jesus Christ. Don’t let the temptation to simply lose weight keep you from all that God wants to give you this Lent.
Related articles:
How to Discourage Eating Disorders During Lent;
What is Lent and why is it celebrated?
Related Resource: 6 Lenten Ideas That Don’t Involve Food
Do you practice Lent? Although not a required spiritual discipline for a Christian, devoting 40 days to intentional spiritual focus can be very helpful if you are trying to free yourself from body image issues or comparison difficulties. For chronic or recovering dieters, food-related fasts may not be the best idea. Here are six ideas for Lent that don’t involve food but can help you feel much better about your body between now and Easter. If this episode helps answer your body image questionsbe sure to follow Compared to whom? on Spotify Or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode!
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