How to Do a Social Media Fast
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”—Matt. 6:16-18
If you, like me, want to explore the effect social media has on your own heart, may I suggest a social media fast?
Granted, the word “fast” might conjure up torture and privation. Like David Kakish puts it, we often view fasting as “the kale of the spiritual disciplines. We know it’s good for us, but we don’t seek it out on the menu.” But perhaps what we need is not more rules and guilt about why we ought to fast, but a new vision for it.
My Own Experience With Social Media Fasting
While fasting is most associated with food, some of us should not be fasting for various reasons (often health-related) or in certain seasons of life (such as during pregnancy). However, that doesn’t mean that we might not benefit from the practice.
Fasts can also include abstinence from particular foods, like salt, sugar, or caffeine. It can be creating space from some unhealthy or toxic relationships. In this post, we will look at fasting for a time from social media usage.
Now right from the start, I’ll admit: It is unnatural and uncomfortable to fast, whatever you are choosing to fast from. Don’t be surprised that when you choose to fast, you find an insatiable hunger for that very thing.
But that, my friends, is exactly where you want to be. That is where you will learn, discover, and grow the most. Expect to struggle, but then let that struggle propel you to God.
For me, after getting over the initial withdrawal period, I found I had the opportunity to really explore this part of me that craves the approval of others. I discovered that what I truly desired was to know that my life made a difference to others. What I did, said and even thought privately was all geared towards eliciting that praise I wanted.
Of course, none of this is very flattering to realize. But at the same time, if I desired to grow in Christ, I needed to know that. When I live my life for the praise of others, I have eventually set up a new idol.
Not only have I elevated the praise of man above my desire for the praise of God, I have basically elevated myself as lord of my own life. How? By not trusting Christ as my fountain of living water to quench my thirst for approval (John 7:38), I have essentially written my own rules to find life.
These things I would not have realized had I not pulled away from social media. There would not have been the space or margin to do this soul work.
Who Should Do a Social Media Fast?
Now I am not saying that everyone needs to do this. People-pleasing or self-idolatry may not be an issue for you. Some of you do not experience the “long tail” effects or drag that social media brings. So please consider your own situation.
But if you have a vague feeling, as I did, that maybe your feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, or spiritual lethargy just might have a connection to social media, a fast may be for you.
If you find yourself using social media as
a coping mechanism
a means to fill the void of isolation
a key to your sense of value or worth
a way to take a break from your real life
then you may wish to consider doing a social media fast.
So What is the Purpose of Fasting Anyway?
We often tend to focus on the negative side of fasting—what we give up or lose. But how might we look at the positive benefits of fasting?
Yes, fasting is an abstention or a denial of a legitimately good thing. We have all felt hunger pangs and experienced the satisfaction that comes when we ease that discomfort with food.
When we fast, we allow ourselves to become aware of what we long for. As long as we keep eating, we will not feel hungry, but once we stop, we see more clearly what it is we are searching for. As John Piper says, “Christian fasting is a test to see what desires control us.”
But fasting is not meant to just reveal our idols; it gives us a choice to pursue that which truly satisfies. This is how fasting actually can draw us close to God, for it forces us to decide where or to whom we will turn for the satisfaction that fasting reveals. So when I realize that I am longing for the approval of others, will I use this as an opportunity to turn to God instead to find that approval?
How to Do a Social Media Fast
If you’re still with me and are intrigued, here are a few tips that have helped me to make the most of this opportunity.
View Fasting as a Response to God
In his book on fasting, Scot McKnight repeatedly emphasizes that fasting is not meant to be a way to get something from God. Rather, it is a humble response to God. It is a physical posture or action that expresses our spiritual desire.
When we fast from social media, it is a practical way we are expressing our desire for Him, a desire for more of Him. Therefore, enter into the fast with the purpose of spiritual growth.
Identify a Specific Purpose for Your Fast
There are many spiritual reasons to do a fast. As I see it, fasting is a way to express both sorrow at the sins it surfaces as well as an opportunity to turn back to God in repentance and faith to pursue Him more faithfully. They go together.
Even if you are not tempted by social media, you may wish to consider fasting as a form of training—particularly training away from self towards Christ. In the space that is created by fasting from social media, what will you pursue instead?
Set Limits For Usage
If the idea of fasting is daunting, start with a short time and then work up. As you consider your social media usage, you may wish to note how frequently you naturally check your social media. What are your patterns? Do you check hourly? On your lunch break? Before going to bed at night?
Once you have figured this out, then challenge yourself to either cut out one of your usual sessions, like forgoing your pre-bed check, or go cold turkey and cut it all out for a day. If you make it through one day, then challenge yourself to do a week, then a month.
This is how it started for me. I noticed that once I made it through one day, I realized “I could do this!” and then aimed to tackle the next day. In a way, it was training myself away from a taste for social media, which brings me to my next point.
Replace It With Something Better
Like a person trying to quit smoking, we may feel withdrawal symptoms. It is hard for us to just spend all our time fighting the hunger.
Because fasting is meant to not just reveal our hearts but drive us to God, then every time you feel that urge to check, then train yourself instead to look to God. Confess your desire and then ask Him to help you make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow by asking questions such as:
What am I thinking at this time? Or is this a mindless habit?
What is behind your impulse to check?
Am I feeling discontentment? What do I feel like I am missing?
Am I feeling anxious or insecure? What about?
This is where the insights often come. By letting your hunger move you towards God, you can make the most of your time.
Besides asking questions, or after you have done this heart work, take yet another step forward by filling the vacuum with something that will benefit your soul. Call up or text a real friend if you want connection. Play a game with your child. Listen to worship music or a podcast.
Conclusion
As I consider my own life, what I am realizing is that I really don’t want to go back on social media, but I have found it beneficial to keep my account open for specific community purposes: getting feedback, helping with a book launch, or accessing special content.
Though my husband and I are starting a new ministry, I am realizing that instead of relying on social media to help us get the word out, I will trust the Lord instead to help us. Jesus had no social media following, yet He has simply invested in people and loved them well. Because their lives have been changed by Him, they could not help but tell others.
So for this season of starting out, I will continue to abstain from using social media personally and skip setting up a social media account. Rather, I will work on connecting with as many people as possible directly and sharing it more personally. If they are interested, they are welcome to follow us via email instead.
Thanks for walking through this thought experiment with me. I hope it will help you as well as you consider how will use this tool of our generation.
Resources
If this whets your appetite to learn more about fasting, here are a couple other resources to round out your understanding of fasting in general:
A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer—John Piper
Fasting: The Ancient Practices—Scot McKnight
