Spiritual Exercise; what is it and How Can it Help?
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011
by Carol Allen Anfinsen
AnfinsenArt
Your body is not just a few joints, hinges and parts loosely strung together. Each part is intricately part of the whole. For each part to function properly, the other parts must each do their part to keep you healthy, well aligned, and functioning at peak performance.
Experts can tell us exactly which muscles and nerves control which body parts. They can tell us what nutrients those body parts need and what kinds of exercise will benefit their health and well being. Many people are prime examples. Like well-oiled machines, they build “abs” and taut muscles through continual work-outs and muscle directed exercise. They focus on healthy living and nutritious diets.
Specialists in Alzheimer’s disease now recognize that mental or brain exercises are just as important to our overall health as physical exercise. Like any other muscle tissue, the brain needs blood circulation to keep it healthy and vibrant. Memory and coordination are all controlled by the brain. To operate efficiently, the brain needs stimulation. Daily mental exercises like learning a new skill, doing crossword puzzles, reading, or improving cognitive abilities can keep the brain healthy.
In addition to our physical and mental health, another vital component is our spiritual health and well being. Webster defines spirit in these ways: “the activating or essential principle influencing a person…an inclination, impulse or tendency…character or disposition, i.e. assertiveness, briskness.” Sounds like the crux of our personalities, doesn’t it?
The spiritual essence is also the component that connects with God and gains knowledge about God through faith and learning. Like an intricate airwave, our spirit can only communicate with God when it is well tuned and in good health. To maintain this state requires as much diligence as maintaining the health of our physical body.
There are several ways we can exercise our spiritual nature:
- We can feed our minds and our hearts “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
- “Those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9 KJV)
- Self ControlRemember the adage: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?” Sometimes it’s just the opposite. We may have disciplined our bodies through a series of exercises, but have no self-control when it comes to eating wisely, controlling our sexual appetites, or choosing thoughtfully what we read or watch on T.V.. Strengthening and flexing our spiritual muscles through prayer, studying the Word of God, and practicing restraint gives us a stronger sense of self and more control over our lives.
- Peace of MindKnowing that we are in control of our destiny and that we have the power of God on our side takes all the fear out of living. Our faith is centered on Christ as the Savior of our eternal bodies, and we are masters over our choices and behaviors.
- Adds purpose to the “rat race” Gaining knowledge through spiritual calisthenics gives us a reason and a purpose for living. We are no longer lost in the darkness of sin, but are reborn through the grace and atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of him, we can talk directly to our Father in Heaven; the heavens at last are opened! He hears and answers prayers. We are reconciled to him through the blood of his only begotten son. We are promised life eternal. Our purpose is to serve him and prepare ourselves for an endless life with him leaving the “rat race” far behind.
- Inner power and influenceSelf confidence comes when we know who we are and where we’re going. Once the knowledge of our purpose rings true, we can stand firm on solid ground (all other ground is sinking sand). Having the strength of our convictions gives us the power of influence over others. We know we are built upon the rock of Christ and our testimony cannot be shaken.
- DiscernmentSpiritual exercise allows us to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and provides us with the gift of discernment. Again, Webster’s defines discernment this way: insight, knowledge, comprehension, strength in crisis.
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim 4:8)
“Be Not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil…It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Prov 3:7-8)
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa 40:41)
My dear mother used to say: “the answer to all of life’s questions can be found within the pages of the good book.” She was right, of course, but it took me many years of struggle to discover it.
When I needed answers to child-rearing questions, I turned to Dr. Spock, and other popular educators. I listened carefully to the feminists of the day and read books on being assertive and finding autonomy and self-enlightenment. Still, I found no definitive answers to my inner questions.
When marital problems overwhelmed me, I studied books on love and relationships. I even read “The Feminine Mystique” thinking that if I behaved in a certain way, my husband would see me in a new light and return my love. What nonsense!
In desperation, I turned to prayer more and more. The Lord’s answer: “Focus your life on Jesus Christ, and all things will fall into place.”
That has been the source of my strength ever since. As I studied the word of God, I gained an inner strength and courage. My faith increased and so did my self worth. I was able to see what was happening in my life through new eyes. Unfortunately, my study didn’t save my marriage. In fact, it created a whole new set of problems; but through it all my anchor was the Word of God.
The Holy Bible has been with us for centuries. Its authenticity has been attested to, witnessed, and historically documented. Once we become familiar with its wisdom, we can find answers to all of life’s questions.
Why is it then that people turn to the occult, their friends, celebrity, false Gods or Idols when they have difficulties? Why do they turn aside from the source of all strength; the witness of eternal promise, the hope of forgiveness and salvation and flee into darkness?
The simple reason may be that their flabby spiritual muscles have lost their hearing and are past feeling. Their spiritual heart or center has grown cob webs and dust bunnies. Darkened by sin and neglect, the spirit of God cannot reside within them. Like a physical couch potato, their spirit has gone into a slump. But it doesn’t have to stay there.
The Bible is The Word of God Now and Forever. It is our link to the Father of our spirits. The knowledge we gain within the Bible’s pages can never be taken from us. Continue to do the Pilates, the crunches, the sit ups, lunges and squats. Improve your mind through mental games and exercises. But above all, don’t forget the spiritual exercises that give your life purpose and direction.
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