The Discipline That Quieted Me

When I first started my 16:8 fast, I thought it would just be about food. About structure. About control.

But the longer I’ve been doing it, the more I realize it’s not just about when I eat—it’s about what’s feeding me.

Fasting has quieted me in a way I didn’t expect. It slowed me down. It made me pay attention. It taught me to sit with my thoughts instead of rushing to fill every empty space with something—food, noise, or distraction.

What I didn’t realize was that God was using this discipline to bring me stillness. Not punishment. Not restriction. Just clarity.

The Hunger Beneath the Hunger

The first few days were about cravings—the kind that make you watch the clock. But as time went on, I noticed a different kind of hunger. Not for food, but for peace. For calm. For purpose.

It’s like the fast stripped away my usual comforts and revealed what I’d really been craving all along: alignment.

And with every passing day, I could feel God gently reminding me, “You don’t need more. You need Me.”

Discipline as Preparation, Not Punishment

What I’ve learned is that discipline doesn’t have to feel harsh. Sometimes it’s God preparing you for something greater—something that requires focus, consistency, and faith.

Fasting taught me that consistency isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Showing up for yourself and for God, even when no one’s watching.

Now, when I feel those quiet hunger pangs, I use them as a reminder to pray. To breathe. To pause. To ask myself, What am I really hungry for right now?

🪞 Reflection

“Maybe fasting isn’t just about denying myself—it’s about discovering myself. It’s not about the absence of food, but the presence of God in the spaces I used to fill with everything else.”

✍🏾 Journal Prompt

“What has fasting (or discipline in general) revealed to me about what I truly crave—spiritually, emotionally, or mentally?”