As I was perusing my Physical Fitness textbook, I marveled at the insights it gave into what they call “wellness.” In this case, the text explained how society can keep themselves well and healthy. Among sleep, stress management and your typical diet and exercise, it also mentioned a spiritual factor. The more I read the more I saw the parallels between being physically healthy and spiritually. Upon reflecting on what it takes to be spiritually well I drew several conclusions and many will sound familiar.
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1. Start Your Day Off Right
You know that refreshed feeling you get when you start your morning with a light jog or choose to have a protein shake for breakfast instead of a stack of pancakes? Energy just flows through you for the rest of the day and it makes you feel more positive and even proud of yourself. Talking to God in the morning has a similar effect. As soon as my feet touch the floor in the morning I make sure to wish my Savior a “Good morning.” After all, He is the reason I have another morning! Thanking God for another day not only focuses your priorities on God, but actually equips you for what the day will bring. Now your mind is in the right direction and you are more prone to be positive in tough situations and be thankful for the blessings.
2. Be Physically Well
We as Christians are supposed to act as the arms and legs of God. We don’t want weak limbs in charge of doing God’s will. Our body is a temple in which God dwells so it must be strong. Say no to the candy bar once in awhile, get your heart pumping fast each day, and be wise enough to keep your body from unnecessary harm. The world believes that because it is their body, they can do whatever they want with it. On the contrary, our body is borrowed from our Creator, therefore it should be treated with care and respect. This includes knowing that you don’t need to be adorned with “decorations” to express yourself and it may mean not putting more holes in your body than God gave you.
3. Clean out your brain cavity
As important as our physical state of being is, God dwells within us therefore we need to take a look at ourselves internally and do some spring cleaning. Deep dark secrets clutter our mind, bad experiences weigh us down with baggage, dislike and contempt keep us restricted. A lot goes on in our minds that hold us back from focusing on God. There is truth to the saying “Garbage in, garbage out.” We fill our minds with trash by devouring the latest vampire series, spending 3 days on catching up with your favorite TV show on Netflix, and surfing the web on the latest celebrity gossip. I am guilty of all the above, but I have also seen the result of indulging in such things. Separation from God. It’s a process, but with God you can lay down your baggage and secrets, forgive those who’ve wronged you, seek forgiveness from others, and use your time wisely.
4. Get Educated
God has equipped us with the oldest textbook there is: the Bible. It isn’t wise for Christians to go around thinking that because they know the general Bible stories like “David and Goliath” and “Jonah and the Whale,” they do not have to read more of the Bible. The Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” With every good book, no matter how many times you reread it, you get more out of it. Behind each word in the Bible is a message from our Savior. It is a strong vehicle for our communication with God. Reading the Bible better educates us in God’s will and way. It will give you real life applications. Just like a class tests you on the knowledge you acquire in the textbook, Satan tests you on the knowledge you acquire in the Bible. And that is not a test you want to fail.
5. Pray Often
Another vehicle of communication is prayer. How do you expect to get close to your friends if you don’t talk to them? Is it true friendship if you only go to them when you need something? We have the luxury of Jesus’ companionship at our fingertips 24/7! The Bible says to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer should not be limited to meals, bedtime, and the occasional devastation. Prayer should be a continual conversation with God. Impossible, you think? Maybe now, but you are missing out on the blessing that is to talk to God. Most common people can’t even get an audience with their king or queen, but we have the opportunity to commune with Him all the time. What is sad is that more often that not Jesus seeks an audience with us but we say we are too busy. I guarantee from experience that the more you talk to God, the more He’ll talk to you and the more your life will change.
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God gives us the tools in order to live life to the fullest. His greatest resource was His son Jesus who became our medium and made a path to paradise. By striving to improve all of these areas in my life, I have seen a significant change in me and what is great is you can too. Become spiritually well, my friends. It is the best decision you will ever make.
God Bless!
-LJM
1 Thessalonians 5:17, Psalms 4:3, Hosea 4:6,
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Matthew 15:11, Philippians 4:8
Leah Jordan Meahl 