Where Does Our Strength Come From?

It's essential for our overall health and wellbeing to be intentional about building up our strength, both physically and mentally. By doing a series of exercises and lifting weights we can improve our health significantly. Today I would like to focus on exercises that help improve our overall spiritual strength.

Let's take a look at a few exercises that improve our spiritual health.

• Meditating on God's word

  • Find quiet place to meditate (Matthew 6:6)

  • Select Bible verse to focus on (Psalm 77:12)

  • Ask God to give insight, clarity, and wisdom with this verse (Psalm 49:3)

  • Think about the imagery of the verse

Joshua 1:8 NIV

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

• Pray continuously

  • Develop a prayerful outlook (Psalm 145:18-19)

  • Don't limit your notions of prayer, it's a conversation with God (1 Peter 5:7)

  • Our communication with the Lord becomes our first instinct in every situation

  • It will never occur to us NOT to pray

  • Pray the Lord's Prayer - "thy will be done" brings acceptance of our current situation (Matthew 6:9-15)
    

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NIV

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

• Reflection

  • Keeps our focus in the right place (Philippians 4:8)

  • Allows the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts whether through His convictions or guidance (John 16:7-8, 13-15)

  • Practice silence - it allows God to speak to us (Psalm 37:7, 46:10)

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

I would like to clarify what it means to think about the imagery of a verse as mentioned under the meditating section. Imagery is a powerful literary device that uses descriptive language to create mental pictures allowing reader to better understand and relate to spiritual truths. They can reveal God's character and communicate important lessons and give us a deeper meaning of the verse.

1. Symbolism represents a deeper meaning; example light and darkness are used to illustrate concepts of good and evil and truth and ignorance.

2. Metaphors are used to convey complex ideas through relatable comparisons. Jesus used parables to teach moral and spiritual lessons.

3. Visualizing Spiritual Truths - aid in visualizing abstract spiritual concepts, example shepherd and his sheep describe the relationship between God and His people.

Friends, these exercises can help us to create meaning in our lives and give purpose to it. They can help cultivate a clear set of beliefs as we live in accordance with our morals and values which in turn fosters our inner peace and self-awareness.

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

"I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Friends, too often we find ourselves struggling in life (Ephesians 6:12) because we rely on our own strength instead of leaning on God's strength to help direct and guide us (Psalm 32:8).

As you begin meditating, praying, and reflecting on God's Word daily, be mindful of how God strengthens you spiritually.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime