Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
God rewards what we do just for Him, “in secret”, without the fanfare of men!
What makes secrets so special is that only the two of you know about it. It makes a special bond, a meaningful connection between you and God when you fast for Him and don’t tell anybody about it.
Fasting lets your body know that it doesn’t control you, God does. It lets God know that you’re putting Him first in your life. It shows you the battle that your selfish nature puts up against denying yourself for God.
All those things are good for you and for your relationship with God. You can fast from food or television or the internet or even your usual exercise routine — anything that’s normally a part of your life that you enjoy. It’s not that these things are bad for you, but that you want to make a point about Who is first in your life. When you do, He’ll reward you.
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