If you’d rather listen than read, you can hear this post on this episode of my RefreshHer podcast.
I love walking in the morning on our country roads. When my feet hit the pavement I’m so glad I laced up my shoes! But you know what? As much as I love it after I get out there, I put it off beforehand! I think of reasons why I shouldn’t exercise or what I could do instead. True confession…
I can be lazy!
I think about the benefits of walking and this usually pushes me out the door:
1. I get energized! Though it can tire me physically, getting my heart beating faster and breathing in the fresh air is invigorating!
2. I see things outside things I wouldn’t see otherwise. – I see the cattle, birds in the trees, foliage, beautiful sky and shadows from the sun, plus all the farmland and crops growing.
3. It strengthens my bones. My doctor ells me that the impact of walking is helpful in strengthening my bones. My body needs this!
4. Time in the sun is good for me. Vitamin D pours in, also helpful in keeping bones strong!
If I push myself out the door, I will reap the benefits. It’s always worth it, and I’m always glad I disciplined my body and walked!
Another habit that is a part of my life that requires discipline is time in God’s Word and time in prayer. This is a daily discipline that is good for me. I need it, but I also find that I don’t necessarily always feel like stopping to read and pray. I can make lots of excuses why I could/should put it off for a while, but again, I remind myself of the benefits, and I then go and seat myself and open God’s Word. The benefits are similar, but greater than my time of walking each day.
- It energizes me spiritually. A burden that is weighing me down is lifted as I read the Scriptures. God enlightens me with Truth that removes the load from my shoulders and puts it on His. The psalmist wrote, My Soul melts from heavniness, strengthen me according to Thy Word. Ps. 119:28
- We see things we wouldn’t see without it. Ps. 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. God’s Word gives light. It sheds it on the Gospel. It points to sin and brings conviction after salvation. Romans 3:20
- We are strengthened. It leads us to the Gospel as the only way to be saved. John 14:6 The Gospel way is the only way to live after salvation. Lamentations 3:21-23 We have strength to do His will in obedience.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned at 80 years of age it’s that I can’t store up good feelings and behavior, but only draw them fresh from God each day. Maybe I”m glad it’s that way, for every time I go to Him, He teaches me something else. ~ Corrie Ten Boom - Time with Christ is good for me. Exposure to the presence of God is good for me. His presence gives me joy. Ps. 119:111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart. The triuth of God’s Word quickens us to the truth of Who God is. 2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Our inner man is more important because it is eternal. Are we putting as much into our inner man’s spiritual exercise as we do our physical bodies?
Are you being renewed day by day? Or is it more week by week when you sit under your pastor at church? Is it month by month because you’re not faithful even to church attendance? 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. I Timothy 4:8
You may not remember what you read yesterday, but just like the food you ate last week yet you can’t remember what you cooked, that food nourished you. That word you read will always be profitable. Job said, I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job. 23:12 God’s Word is more important than anything else we could read. It’s more important than anything we could do, including physical exercise.
Do you walk with God for your spiritual health? I Peter 2:2 If my physical body is weak, I can’t help another who has a need. Even greater, if my heart is not spiritually healthy, how can I encourage someone else? You know what keeps me from the spiritual exercise I need? The same thing that keeps me from physical exercise – laziness! I need God’s Word more than anything else in this physical world. I read this statement some time ago and thought it was so good…
Girl, read your Bible. You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights. take all the trips, trash all that doesn’t “spark joy,” wash your face and hustle like mad, but if you don’t rest your soul in Jesus, you will never find true peace and true purpose. ~Author unknown
Lace up your spiritual shoes and spend time walking with Jesus! It’s time you’ll never regret and without it, you won’t be strengthened spiritually.
What keeps you from this daily spiritual exercise? Where do you struggle? I’d love to encourage you!
RefreshHer 