Getting Spiritually Fit in 2021
We all enter the year with ambition to be physically fit, we set our alarm early, we try to get more rest, we begin a diet or we may even join a gym or a weight loss program.
When I think of being physically fit I think of four different components:
A Nutritious Balanced Diet, Proper Rest, Exercise and Vitamins & Supplements
First A Balanced Diet Is our input, what we ingest. It is important because it provides all the nutrients we need for our body to function well. We pull from a variety of different food groups to feed our body and keep it healthy. We remember the old saying garbage in - garbage out. So we are careful not to make a steady diet of junk food.
The second component is good rest, we know in order for our bodies to function well and feel our best we need between 7-8 hours of sleep per night . We can’t go days on end without sleep..
The third thing we need for good physical health is exercise . It is beneficial because it helps strengthen our muscles and keeps us flexible and healthy. It helps to control our weight, it combats health conditions and disease, it improves our mood and it boosts energy.
And then finally there's Vitamins and Supplements - These are the extras, you can't live off of them but added to a healthy diet they kind of fill in the gaps of what we might have missed in our diet.
So what does any of this have to do with our Spiritual Health?
Well let's look at each one individually
What would a Balanced nutritious diet look like Spiritually? Just like our diet that provides food and nourishment, what is it that feeds our spirit? A healthy spiritual diet is one that is filled with God's Word, prayer and worship. Now just like I need food every day to survive - my spirit needs food every day to survive. Jesus said, “man cannot live by bread alone but from that which proceeds from the mouth of God”. (Matthew 4:4)
His Word needs to be our main meal, our time with Him every day (personal Bible Study, Prayer , Worship) needs to be a top priority for me to be Spiritually fit. I need to think about what I am feeding myself. Is it a balanced diet that feeds my soul? Is it good solid teaching? Or is it like junk food, providing empty calories and nothing to help me grow and become more like Him?
It's also important for us to pay attention to what we are allowing into our minds and hearts. Is it God honoring? Would I feel comfortable watching this TV show or reading this book, if Jesus was sitting right next to me here on the couch? And by the way He is…
And what are the effects of allowing these unholy things into my life? Remember the song we used to sing to our children….” Oh be careful little eyes what you see...” Well, just like poor food choices will take a toll on my body, poor choices in the way of what kind of books I read, what kind of Movies and TV I watch , they too will take a toll on my spiritual life.
But I want to take this even a step further; Just as important as what we take in, is where we allow our mind to go. What am I thinking about?
Our thought life is so important; This is something that I probably hit on at some point with every person I counsel.
Thoughts -> Beliefs -> Actions ->
The Bible says, “As a man thinketh, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7)
AS I THINK - THAT'S WHO I BECOME….
So God puts a pretty high value not only on what I take in, but also where I allow my mind to go. Notice I'm saying where I allow my mind to go. There is a choice involved. It takes some discipline, but it is possible.
My thoughts determine what I believe about God, the world, myself. And then I act out those beliefs.
There is so much out there to fill my mind with these days. Especially in a pandemic where we might have more down time that we normally would . What am I allowing into my mind? What am I dwelling on? Am I consumed by the news and social media? This has been a real challenge these last several weeks.
We have seen such a rise in anxiety this last year, and understandably so. There are some people who have a condition of anxiety that is related to a medical condition, however, that is a very very small percentage...most anxiety that we suffer from is a direct result of what we are thinking about...what I worry about...what i dwell on.
In Philippians 4:8-9, we are encouraged to dwell on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.
Do I dwell on all the “what ifs” of life?
What if I catch Covid?
What if I lose my job?
What if the political climate never settles down?
I'm not saying in any way that these aren't real problems, I'm not even saying the consequences of these situations wouldn’t be difficult and devastating...But as believers what should our position be?
You see the what Ifs that we think of and dwell on cultivate fear and uncertainty
What if, we turned our what ifs into even ifs?
You see, Even Ifs don't cultivate fear and uncertainty, Even Ifs, when centered on the truth of God invite confidence and security in Him. I think of Matthew 6, where Jesus tells us not to be anxious about tomorrow, what we shall eat, or drink or wear...But instead Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to us as well.
So; Even if I catch Covid. God promises to take care of me and meet all of my needs and my days are numbered by Him, nothing can change that: I do not have to fear
Even if I lose my job, the Bible tells me that God is my ultimate Provider and He will make a way and will supply my needs.
Even if our government gets worse and worse, God is still Sovereign and in control of all things. He is the One who sets up Kings and Kingdoms….I can trust Him
You see, One of the distinguishing marks of a Christian should be an abiding peace in a faithful and trustworthy God no matter what is going on around me.
We walk by faith not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7)
Spending time feeding on God's Word, being careful where I let my mind dwell; what I let my eyes see and my ears hear - is so important to my spiritual health and so is proper rest.
We all know we should be getting 7-8 hours of rest per night (which I would LOVE). I take my melatonin every night and put on my mask to block out all the light with high hopes of a good nights sleep.. But even more than what happens when our head hits the pillow is what do our days look like?
Am I constantly running from one thing to the next?
Am I over committed?
How is my work/life balance ?
Am I running so much that I am neglecting my husband and family?
Am I so busy doing good things that I can never just sit and ponder and meditate in quietness on God and His Word?
Am I observing the Sabbath? Even God rested on the seventh day after He had created the world and everything in it. Not because He was tired, because Isaiah 40:28 says that “ God never grows tired or grows weary” .
When we look at the text in the original language that word rest, means to cease working. Cease from the day to day tasks and occupations and to refocus on what's really important. This rest (or ceasing to work) is also an act of faith. It's saying, today is going to look different than the other 6 days. Although I can make more money and get more accomplished; I'm going to obey you God and trust you to meet all of my needs. And on this day I will worship you and enjoy all the good things you’ve blessed me with.
If physical exercise strengthens my body what would spiritual exercise look like and how does it strengthen me? Well, just like most of us don't like to exercise or sweat - after I tell you what spiritual exercise looks like - this may be your least favorite spiritual discipline as well.
Jesus says in Luke 9;23 says, “If any one wants to be my disciple; he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me.”
There is a cost to following Christ….
We have a flesh that continually wages war within us, we want - what we want-- when we want it. But as Christians we are called to deny ourselves, to deny our selfish desires and now do what Christ wants us to do.
You may say, Well that seems hard….yup it is….it's really hard - especially in the beginning….just like going to the gym is really hard in the beginning...we go workout (well I don't - but you might) and the muscles burn and ache the next day, but the more you exercise those muscles they stronger they get, the less it hurts and the easier it is.
It's the same way with exercising our spiritual muscles; it's hard to deny ourselves in the beginning,
“Ouch I like that thing that I have to give up, it makes me feel good”...but over time the more I exercise that muscle, the more I say no to myself and yes to God's will, the easier it gets And the good news is that we have a helper to do this kind of exercise - the Holy Spirit. We have the power within us to obey God. In this we put off our old self our old sinful ways and we put on Christ/Godliness. We give up our will, our desires, our way and surrender to Him.
This type of exercise is vital to becoming spiritually fit. It is the process of Sanctification (becoming more and more like Christ) It begins the day we commit our lives to Him and it continues all the way until we are with Him in Glory.
While we are talking about exercise. Do you know what the most important muscle to keep strengthened is in your body? Our core, this group of muscles connect the upper and lower body and they help us stand straight tall, help us with balance and stamina help us resist injury.- the ability to move in any way either begins in the core or moves through it. The core holds us all together.
The Core muscle that holds it all together for us spiritually is TRUTH. In the bible study titled The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer she said that Truth is our core support. .It's God's opinion on all matters. God's truth - Biblical truth. Just like we are susceptible to injury without a strong physical core , Without a strong spiritual core, knowing the TRUTH of God's Word- we are left weak and susceptible to things that may look right, feel right, and sound right, but are actually not right at all. But with a strong core, studying and knowing the Word we can adjust everything in our lives to God's Word. We uphold and affirm the standard ; The truth and boundaries set by God in Scripture. Daily, Over and over again in every situation - aligning everything we do, the way we think and act through His Word. - the truth.
Again, not an easy exercise…. There have been times that I’ve said, “I know the Bible says God is always with me, but I feel so alone. …or I know God says not to act out of my anger but that person just made me so mad.”
The TRUTH the TRUTH of God's Word is our core muscle - It holds everything else together. The only way I can deny myself and follow what God wants me to do is by knowing what His Word says. Aligning my thoughts, and my actions to His Word.
And finally we get to the vitamins and supplements...What do I need to add to our balanced diet of Spending time with God every day in His Word, prayer and worship that help make us spiritually fit? I would say that they are going to church, fellowship and serving. These are all very important parts of our walk with God. The Bible tells us to not forsake gathering together. (Hebrews 10:25). We were not created to live in isolation but with others in community.
We were all given spiritual gifts to be used to build each other up and to encourage one another.
Now all of these supplements are a little bit of a challenge during a pandemic.
Going to church is different, although the doors are open to attend church, it may not necessarily be a good idea for everyone, depending on their health. But we’ve got to find a way to join in corporate worship and Bayside has a great online option each Sunday. But let me tell you, I was watching online since November, due to surgery that I had, and this Sunday was my first Sunday back in person. There really is nothing like gathering together to sing praises to God with my brothers and sisters and then together hear a great message and be encouraged. So if at all possible to get to church, try to, it does wonders for us!
Serving others, following Christ's example, is vital to our spiritual health….it gets my eyes off of me and my problems and focuses my eyes on someone else and how I can be a blessing to them. - We’ve all been given spiritual gifts to use to build up the body. And as far as I know, God doesn’t say anywhere in Scripture, 'I know I gave you a gift to use to encourage and build up the body of Christ, but don’t worry about using it during the pandemic’ (snicker snicker) If there was ever a time that the body needed encouragement...it is now. So get creative and figure out how. Think practically, what would I need if I were them?
And the last supplement is fellowship. Being with other Christians is vital to our walk with Him. We all have One Spirit dwelling with in us, this brings us together in unity because we share the same beliefs and goals. we are able to encourage one another and sharpen one another through these relationships. So how do we do that with restrictions? - Not everyone is comfortable visiting with others at this time. So again, think outside the box. If you're not comfortable meeting someone at a coffee shop, set up a facetime coffee date, or a virtual game night using some fun apps with a group of friends. Join an online Bible study group, or prayer group where you can meet with other women and have some fellowship. I encourage you to get something on the calendar for each week. Something to look forward to where you can fellowship with other believers.
And just like our bodies can not live only off of vitamins and supplements, our spirit cant live off of these supplements. We need our own personal time and relationship with God each day. Going to church, fellowship and serving are all important- but They can't be our only source of nourishment.
So how do we get spiritually fit in 2021?
First, we have a balanced nutritious diet of time with God in reading the Bible, prayer and worship. We need to fill ourselves with God's Word and spend time with Him; being careful of the junk I'm putting in, developing a disciplined thought life. Turning the WHAT IFS that cultivate fear and insecurity to EVEN IFS which when centered on Him invite confidence and security.
Secondly, we Make sure we are observing the Sabbath rest and ceasing from work once a week and we spend that day focusing on God and His goodness trusting Him to meet all of our needs.
Third, we need to strengthen our spiritual muscles. By first developing our core, the truth of God's Word . Over and over again, every day, in every situation - aligning everything we do, the way we think and act through His Word. - .and then by exercising and developing those spiritual muscles by putting them into practice by denying ourselves, surrendering our desires, our dreams, our fears all to God.
And finally, add a healthy dose of going to church, fellowshipping with other believers and taking our eyes of ourselves and blessing and serving others.
Some of My Favorite Resources
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby