Lent is in full swing and people are observing and participating in a variety of ways. Some people are tempted to take advantage of Lent. Instead of making it a sacred time, it becomes some kind of weight loss solution. Even if that happens, you don’t have to stop there. Above all else, Lent is about the attitude of our hearts before the Lord.
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season before Easter. It is about remembering and recognizing the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying before his public ministry. For many people, Lent is observed by fasting in a special way. Some people choose to abstain from certain foods, follow the Daniel fast, or eat only after sunset. It may also be observed by fasting and abstaining from activities, habits, and vices. For example, many people quit social media. It aims to remove certain habits and replace them with prayer and devotion to God, just as Jesus spent time in the wilderness with prayer and God the Father.
How should we treat Lent?
Lent itself becomes sacred. By definition, sacred means “set apart” and should be preserved in a way that honors God first and foremost. If we truly want our hearts to be focused on God, it is important that we do not let anything else come before God. The Bible often talks about idols and the dangers they pose in our lives. The idea that we associate with idols is that they are figurines or objects that are worshiped, but you may be surprised to find out what idols actually are. It is all that you place before God in your heart and devotion. The desire to lose weight during Lent can become an idol. Because it takes precedence over the desire to spend time with God with sincere devotion. Lent should be treated as nothing before God Himself, but it is not limited to 40 days a year. If we truly want God to be first in our lives, we must remove everything we are putting before God. Either God is our first and greatest love and desire, or he is not. We choose where God is in our lives based on our actions and attitude of heart.
Is it wrong to lose weight during Lent?
Losing weight during Lent can be a sign of behavior during Lent. There’s nothing wrong with losing weight, but it shouldn’t be your goal. If your goal is to lose weight or become healthier, it’s a diet, not a cardio exercise. Dieting and a healthy lifestyle can be practiced at any time of the year, but don’t use Lent inappropriately. Regarding fasting, the Lord said in Matthew 6:1-4:
“Be careful not to do righteous acts before men, so that they may see you; if you do so, you will receive no reward from your heavenly Father. Therefore, when you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may honor you. Truly I say to you, But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Then your Father will see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”
When it comes to fasting and any act of trying to be righteous before the Lord, we must be careful not to do it for the approval or praise of others. Similarly, if you happen to lose weight while fasting, don’t do it to get compliments from men or to lower the number on the scale. Rather, allow yourself to stand before the Lord and know His heart more deeply.
how to resist temptation
Enemies often attempt to manipulate or exploit holy days and holy hours to thwart their enemies. Despite these facts, we are not doomed to become His prey, because God helps us from temptation. Even if you get sick during Lent and it turns into a weight loss plan, you are not condemned to stay there. James 4:7 reminds us:
“Therefore, humble yourself before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When we humbly call on the Lord, He will deliver us from all that the enemy is trying to twist. It will help change the course of Lent, and you may gain a deeper, more intimate understanding of what it means to spend time devotedly before the Lord than ever before.
How anorexia skewed my perspective on Lenten fasting
I have struggled with an eating disorder for more than half my life. It started when I was in my mid-teens and manifested itself in many different ways. From years of anorexia to bulimia, I have at times sought ways to obscure my condition. It was easier to make excuses and hide what was going on than admit that I had a problem. I remember one Lent when it seemed easy to hide my anorexic tendencies in the name of participating in Lent. Looking back now, it’s clear to me the trap I was falling into and how I was willing to allow anarchy to come before what was really important at that time. I acknowledge where I fell, but it has made me truly grateful for the grace of Jesus Christ that I am forgiven and truly forgiven. I also took comfort in knowing that God would be there to help me should such temptations arise again. Anorexia does not have the final say on my Lent or my life. God does.
During this season of Lent, take time to reflect and explore your heart and intentions before the Lord. As David said in Psalm 139:23-24,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any aggressive way in me, and guide me in the everlasting way.”
Invite the Lord to reveal where adjustments or corrections are needed. Then, enter into the true, true riches of spending time with God in His presence and all the rich blessings that come from that time. Lent is a time to prepare our hearts to remember every person’s greatest gift in Christ Jesus. Don’t give in to the temptation to just lose weight and deprive yourself of all that God wants to give you this Lent.
Related articles:
How to prevent eating disorders during Lent;
What is Lent and why is it celebrated?
Related resources: 6 ideas for Lent without food
Do you practice Lent? Although not a required spiritual exercise for Christians, committing to 40 days of intentional spiritual focus can be very helpful if you are trying to find freedom from body image issues or comparison struggles. For chronic dieters or convalescent dieters, food-related fasting may not be the best idea. Here are six ideas for Lent that aren’t food-related but may help you feel much better physically by Easter. If this episode helps you with questions about your body imagebe sure to follow Who compared to? above Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode!
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Cally Logan is the author of three books, including The Wallflower that Bloomed, which won the 2025 Readers’ Choice Christian Literature Award and the Henri Award, and is an expert writer for Crosswalk.com and The Rooted Truth. Her heart finds beauty in the mystery of life and the glory of the details, big and small, all around us. Storytelling is her passion, and she believes that each of us has a unique and precious story written by God, and that together we are part of a grand story written by God. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Regent University and has taught U.S. history and Western civilization for nearly a decade. Her work has been featured in media outlets including Jesus Calling, The 700 Club Interactive, and Propel Women. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, watching movies, and woodworking. Check out her website callylogan.com or find her on Instagram @CallyLogan.
