S2. E44. Is it Biblical fasting or diet culture in disguise?

As we enter a new year and many churches begin prayer and fasting seasons, it’s important to pause and ask an honest question: Is this fast actually drawing me closer to Jesus—or pulling my focus toward food, weight, and control? In today’s episode, Abbie unpacks what Scripture really teaches about fasting—especially for those healing their relationship with food. This conversation is not anti-fasting; Jesus clearly says “when you fast.” But it is pro-discernment, pro-healing, and deeply rooted in biblical truth. If fasting pulls your eyes off of Jesus and onto your body, your weight, or food control, it is no longer biblical fasting—it’s dieting with spiritual language. Using Matthew 6:16–18 and other key passages, we explore how diet culture can subtly hijack spiritual practices (especially in January), how to examine our motives with compassion rather than condemnation, and how obedience may look different in different seasons. You’ll learn: What biblical fasting is for (and what it is not) Why prayer is essential for any true fast How diet culture distorts fasting—especially at the start of the year Why fasting from food may not be what God is inviting you into right now Alternative fasts that can actually support healing (body checking, the scale, tracking, comparison, distraction) Discernment questions to pray through before starting a fast How to fast in a way that produces peace, humility, and intimacy with God—not anxiety and striving If you’ve ever felt confused, pressured, or spiritually conflicted during fasting seasons, this episode offers biblical clarity, gentle guardrails, and freedom. Resources & Next Steps: ✨ Join the FREE January Prayer & Fasting Accountability Group → https://groupme.com/join_group/112249987/noFPMe5M   ✨ Book a FREE 20-Minute Food Freedom in Christ Call → https://yourdailybreadco.typeform.com/workwithabbie