Healthy Self: Heart, Soul, Mind & StrengthSample

Spiritual Health

Spiritual health is the unseen foundation of our lives. Our hope in Christ is the strength from which we live and move. But to live this takes intentionality, since we naturally live in response to what we see and sense. Believing that He has chosen and adopted us is the lens through which we see the world: As believers we join God’s mission to see His Kingdom come. This means orienting our minds beyond what we can see here and now, and taking hold of God’s truth and purpose for each day of our lives.

Growing in our faith requires intentional re-alignment with His character, His ways, His will and His Word.

Jesus took time during his earthly life to be away and alone with the Father. Though he is God, he made time and space to nurture his spiritual health; to disconnect from earthly pressures and agendas; to commune with the Father and Spirit, and to submit his desires to God’s plan.

Likewise, our spiritual health is not a matter of happenstance. If Jesus needed time away, how much more do we? So often as believers we see time in the Word, worship and prayer as obligations, “shoulds,” and carry a sense of guilt if we don’t make the time. Or if, say, it takes us 14 days to get to Day 4 of our Bible reading plan. Right?! But the Word, worship and prayer are what connect us with God’s power and purpose, and align us with God’s plan. Meditating on the Word stirs up the Holy Spirit within us, reminding us what we believe and energizing us with His strength and love to live it out.

Over time, we want to see the evidence that we are being formed into His likeness, which will look like the fruits of the Spirit, an increased love for Jesus, the Word, the Church, and holiness. As you grow spiritually, your marriage, friendships, and Christ-centered community will get deeper and richer.

Pray as Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, that God will give you spiritual wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:17). Seek His word and fellowship with other believers, where you can mutually encourage one another toward (Colossians 3:16). When we pray for these things, we align with God’s word and his heart for our sanctification. Pray this way and watch expectantly as God answers. Be ready to respond to His Spirit of loving truth and conviction.

Action Steps:

• Are you growing in evidence of the Holy Spirit? (This is a slow process!)
• Are you growing in a love for God, His word, the Church, and a desire for holiness?
• What habits can you put in place to commune with God regularly?
• What habits can you put in place to be aware of the unseen and spiritual things regularly? Here's an idea: One simple way might just be to ask yourself and your spouse daily: How did you see God today?