Life is crazy. Between work, appointments, spouses, children, pets or whatever is going on in your life, it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos. Unfortunately, this can distract us, causing our relationship with God to take a back burner. Let’s be honest, we have all been there. In last week’s blog, I talked about making New Year’s resolutions. I challenged you to not only improve your physical health but to also improve your spiritual health. To help you get started, I have listed 4 “exercises” to help you improve your spiritual health.
1. 365 Daily Devotions - This is a great tool to help you keep your resolution not only this year, but for years to come. They are written for not only men and women but for children as well. With a wide range of topics, you can easily find the perfect devotional for you.
2. Use Your Work Commute as a Praise and Worship Time. - Typically, one of the few positive sides of a work commute is time to yourself. Whether you live 5 minutes or an hour from work, this is a great way to spend some one-on-one time with God. Before you leave the driveway, say a prayer to God. You could ask him to speak to you through the music. Then, turn on your local Christian radio station or play your personal collection of your favorite Christian songs. Sing along and use this time to praise and worship God. Just make sure you still pay attention to the road and your surroundings.
3. Spend More Time in God’s Word – There are multiple ways to accomplish this “exercise”. Sit down and schedule a specific time of the day that is dedicated to reading your Bible, then stick to it. Also, it may help you to make a scripture schedule as well. For example, setting a goal to complete one of the books of the Bible by the end of each month.
Take advantage of technology and download a Bible app. A Bible app is a wonderful tool to use because no matter where you go, you will always have a Bible with you. Most Bible apps have the capability to read to you as well. Choose a book of the Bible and a chapter, then hit the play button. Does your car have Bluetooth? This is another “exercise” that you can use during your work commute or anytime you are in the car. You just need to make sure that your phone or tablet is connected to your car’s Bluetooth or speakers.
Finding an independent Bible study is another great tool to use to dive further into God’s word. Like devotionals, there is a wide range of topics that you can choose from.
4. Schedule a Prayer Time - Having an uninterrupted, one-on-one conversation with God may be hard for you. Whether it’s in the morning, over your lunch break, or before you go to bed, you need to establish a designated prayer time. Once again, you could use your commute to work to talk to God. Just make sure you do not close your eyes. Obviously, you can pray anytime of the day. However, sometimes having a scheduled time helps you set everything else aside so you can focus just on God. Even if you need go to a private place to do that. In the Bible, there are several instances where Jesus stepped away to talk to God.
In Mark 1:35 (NIV) it states, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” In Matthew 14:22-23 (NIV) it states, “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,”.
When you are in the process of improving your physical health, you must have dedication to a diet and exercise for it to work. The same applies to your spiritual health. You must be dedicated, mentally and physically, to reading God’s word and to praying. I hope these “exercises” help you to get started or to keep your spiritual health resolution all year long.
Looking for MORE helpful tips and ideas? Keep an eye out for our next blog about “exercises” for improving your spiritual health within a group setting.
