This is the second part of a Spiritual Fitness Checkup. Its similar to a medical checkup you would have when you go to a physician. There are some indicators that a doctor looks at and gets some feedback on your physical well-being. We hope you can get some feedback, although you are really doing a self-assessment. We are dealing with spiritual matters. In the first part, we looked at our mouth, our ears or hearing and our reflexes. There is a scoresheet designed for this self-assessment and I encourage you to rate yourself as we continue with several more indicators. Plus, on the scoresheet, you have a place to write some action steps for the next few months to help you move toward goals that would improve your self-rating.
Next on our list of indicators is pressure. Just like high blood pressure is the silent killer, worldly pressures can be the silent killers of our spiritual beings. Financial pressures, job security, and even your own peers can bring about this worldly pressure. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” God’s Word tells us over and over again that we have no need to worry! God will never leave us. Are you really out of shape here? Or are you pretty fit? Rate yourself on your scoresheet.
Some further reading: Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:29-30
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” We need to be fully aware of our ‘spiritual hearts’. The heart is one of the most important organs of our physical beings. It’s also critical to the spiritual being. Therefore, we must be aware of the dangers of a hardening heart. Pastor Rick Warren says “The most important antidote for spiritual heart disease is giving. When we give, our hearts grow bigger.” Conversely, the hardening of the heart is a gradual process, not something happening overnight. Some characteristics are insensitivity to what the Lord says (unbelief), justification of sinful conduct, an absence of private devotion and little interest in spiritual matters. Don’t ignore your spiritual heart.
Finally, its time to examine our Spiritual Diet. Physical beings require certain vitamins and nutrients. We need to ask ourselves if we are feeding our spirit the nutrition it requires. Sunday morning isn’t enough.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 (NLT)
Daily devotions are perhaps the most important part of your spiritual diet. Make the time for them and draw close to the Lord!
So, how did you do? Be diligent and don’t neglect your spiritual being.
Well, if you used the scoresheet, you must have some thoughts about how you can change your ‘scores’. Over the next months, you can work on some indicators or all of them.
The purpose of this check-up is to establish a baseline. My invitation to you is to have an intentional effort to improve your level of spiritual fitness. GROW in your walk with Christ. It doesn’t matter if you are new in your walk with Him or if you are still maturing. You want to continue to grow!
I am currently working on the development of a basic spiritual workout. I hope its something that serves as a daily plan for your spiritual fitness.
I invite you to check out our new podcast. You can find it by clicking this link: https://chaplaingray.podbean.com/
Until next time...
"His faithful love endures forever."
Chaplain Gray
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