Most of us are far more addicted to praise than we realize. We fish for compliments with self-deprecating remarks. We casually mention our accomplishments in conversation. We check how many likes our post received. We feel a little deflated when our good deed goes unnoticed. This hunger for human approval is a form of gluttony — and like any appetite, it can be disciplined through fasting.

"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" — John 5:44
Jesus' question cuts deep: our craving for human glory actually undermines our faith, because faith requires resting in God's approval rather than manufacturing our own.

What a Praise Fast Looks Like

A praise fast is a set period — start with one week — during which you deliberately abstain from seeking, soliciting, or savoring human praise. This means: no fishing for compliments ("I'm so bad at this" hoping someone will disagree), no casually mentioning your achievements, no checking social media for likes and comments, no steering conversations toward topics where you shine, no mentally replaying compliments you received. It also means, when someone does praise you, receiving it with a simple "thank you" and internally redirecting the glory to God — without lingering on the good feeling or replaying it later. This is harder than it sounds. You will be surprised how often the impulse arises.

The Spiritual Dynamics

Fasting from praise exposes the depth of our addiction to human approval. The first day or two may feel liberating. By day three or four, you may feel irritable, invisible, or resentful. This is withdrawal — and it reveals how much of your emotional stability depends on the opinions of others rather than the steadfast love of God. Paul addresses this directly:

"Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." — Galatians 1:10
The praise fast is a practical way to answer Paul's question honestly. When the supply of human approval is cut off, what remains? If anxiety, resentment, or emptiness surfaces, that is diagnostic — it shows where your treasure really lies.

Beyond the Fast

The goal of the fast is not to never enjoy praise again but to become free from needing it. After the fast, you can receive encouragement as a gift rather than a drug. You can enjoy affirmation without being controlled by its absence. And you develop a new reflex: when praised, your first internal response becomes "Thank You, Father — all glory is Yours" rather than "Yes, tell me more." This is the freedom of the humble heart.

This Week's Exercise

Commit to a seven-day praise fast. Each morning, pray: "Father, this week I want to seek only Your approval. Help me notice when I am fishing for praise and give me the grace to stop." Keep a small notebook and each evening jot down every time you caught yourself seeking praise that day — be honest and specific. At the end of the week, review your list. What patterns do you see? In what situations are you most hungry for approval? Bring these patterns to God in prayer and ask Him to satisfy your need for approval with His love alone.