"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"
Isaiah 58:5-6
I like the idea here that God isn't about suffering for its own sake... fasting, even though it sometimes feels like desprivation, isn't about suffering, but I think more about focus. We take some time off of food so that we can have more time and money to help others, and more clarity and fewer distractions as we focus on what the Lord wants us to do.
The gospel isn't about suffering. Paul talks of glorying in his infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), but even there the holiness/positive aspect of the idea is in turning to the Lord and finding strength in him, not in the affliction itself. Even Christ's suffering isn't what made him glorious, but rather his ability to understand and overcome every earthly challenge, sickness, and temptation and to even endure death, and still triumph over it with life and joy. He fought against suffering and brought us the hope of peace. Especially with fasting, the Lord made clear in Matthew 6:16-17 that it isn't about outward suffering at all, but it is about dedication to the Lord, privately.
Today, let's remember that the Lord wants to get rid of all the bad things, to fix the world and help everyone overcome the evil. Let's help God work towards less suffering in the world, and focus on the positive aspects of our lives, even when we are enduring hardship, but especially when we are fasting, remembering that this is a choice about growing closer to God and helping others rather than a choice to embrace or glorify pain.
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