This past week as I have been watching Joyce Meyer and Beth Moore, they have been talking about beginning the year in balance. Balance by making sure their spiritual lives as well as physical lives are in equal balance. Both of these women begin with daily devotions and follow up with exercise. I like what Beth said about her morning routine, she concludes her devotions and exercise by bundling it all up with thanking the Lord for a healthy mind and body.
Joyce really got me thinking about something these past few days. She said one day the Holy Spirit brought her attention that she dwelt too much on her past and all the time the enemy had stolen from her childhood and all the regrets. She said the Holy Spirit told her that she needed to let go of that and realize that now her days are less ahead of her than what is behind her. That she didn't need to waste one more day on the past, but to enjoy each day. How often we waste a day or two or even weeks and months living depressed about what is behind us?
This week on a secular program I was watching, the doctor was commenting that most of his patients could actually be cured of most of their ailments if they would let go of unforgiveness. That most of the illnesses that he was dealing with had to do with the patient needing to release unforgiveness and by doing that naturally the patient would begin eating better because they would no longer turn to comfort food. Then if they would start an exercise routine they would lose weight and have more energy and less stress.
Today, the Lord reminded me of Psalm 119:32. It says, "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." The key word here being run, running not only in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. Being in pursuit of obedience in every area of our lives. Doing so will set our heart's free of the unhealthy stress.
I like to say that prayer is like strength training. Prayer gives us the strength to make it through the day. Much like lifting weights makes us stronger. Did you know that as we age, it is even more important to lift weights to keep your muscles strong. So many believer's live in spiritual atrophe because they don't pray enough. We are to pray continually. (1 Thess. 5:17)
Then a time of worship. Beth says she listens to worship music or upbeat Christian music during her cardio workout. I too listen to upbeat worship and Christian music while I'm on the treadmill or walking in my neighborhood. As we all know cardio activity strengthens our heart. Worship too strengthens our spiritual heart. It ties us into God's heart and this too helps us throughout the day. Too many Believer's have spiritual heart attacks because their hearts don't get enough worship exercise.
Lastly, healthy meals. A healthy meal of God's Word will keep you full the whole day. It will supply you with spiritual nutrients when you need them most. Don't be an anorexic Christian. I think sometimes Christians can be bolemic too. That would be what James 1:22 says about hearing the word, but not doing it.
I hope this year, we might look at Jesus as our personal trainer. That he wants to come along side of us and bring persepective, encouragement and balance into our lives. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." We need a balance of spiritual fitness and physical fitness to accomplish all that God has prepared for us in our individual lives. Just like when Joyce Meyer realized she had less years ahead of her and chose to live from this time forward without regret and unforgiveness, to get her physical body healthy and her spiritual life strong. I pray whether you are in the first quarter of your life or the last quarter of your life, that all your days would be blessed. Moses concluded his life with these words to the children of Israel, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 32:46 & 47) Here's to a new year and a new life.
