Spiritual Calisthenics

[bluidkiti]

Spiritual Calisthenics by Suzanne Benner

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15).

Just as physical exercise is important for a healthy body, so there are spiritual exercises that we can do to ensure that our souls are in good shape.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–22).

These verses cover a broad spectrum of behavior, but how do we incorporate specifics into our daily lives?

A few suggestions are:
* Turn stepping outside into a “joy moment” by pausing to notice creation and thanking the Creator.
* Make washing your hair a cue to confess sin and receive God’s cleansing forgiveness.
* Use common objects as reminders for specific prayers. A young friend of mine drove a Tracker, so whenever I saw one I prayed for her. Although not an overly common vehicle, I was amazed at how often God brought one across my path.

Yet there is much more to spiritual exercise.

Just like walking around the block doesn’t prepare you for a marathon, so these basic prompts are only preliminary steps toward spiritual fitness.

Discipline is crucial for a fulfilling spiritual life. Reserve a regular time and place to meet with God.

That time can begin small and grow as you do. Start by reading a psalm and simply conversing with God about how you feel.

Move from there to studying different parts of the Bible. Gradually add memorization and meditation to your time with God.

Prayer: God, help me to discipline myself so that I can know You and walk closer to You.

Questions to Ponder and Discuss: What are your ideas for keeping your thoughts on Jesus throughout the day? Is anything holding you back from getting serious about spiritual disciplines?