6 SOUL AFFIRMING WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH

There are many ways to improve your spiritual health from prayer to meditation to doing yoga. As a Christian and a follower of Christ, I am focusing on your spiritual health as a believer. 

In 2020, everything turned upside down. Here we are in the last quarter of 2021 and the crazy continues. So many people that I love and care about have struggled physically, mentally and emotionally. They are completely out of balance. They are consumed by the scary news all over the world, fear of getting Covid, fear of losing their job for not getting injected, depression from isolation etc. People are completely off kilter in this upside down world where nothing makes sense. 

Fortunately for every person reading this, there is one thing that makes absolute sense and is 100% guaranteed, and that is Christ’s love for you. If you have never heard the gospel, I will give you the nutshell version.

Gospel means “Good News”. It’s the message of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and salvation. I teach Sunday school for children ages 5- 5th grade and I keep it simple. I will do the same for you in case this is completely new to you.

• God is the boss: The Bible tells us that God rules. He created everything. (Genesis 1:1/Revelation 4:11)
• We sinned: Since the time of Adam & Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves punishment of death. (Romans 3:23/Romans 6:23)
• God provided: God sent His son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment that we deserve. It is something that we could never “earn” on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Not good works. Not being a nice person. Those are all false ideas from the ‘world’. Jesus is the ONLY way. (John 3:16/Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Jesus gives: Jesus lived a perfect life, free from sin. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the BEST gift ever. (Romans 5:8/2 Corinthians 5:21)
• We respond: If you are ready to live the life of Faith, you can respond to Jesus. Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what he’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10: 9-10,13)
  • Salvation Prayer: Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name, Amen

What is spiritual health?

Spiritual health is a state of balance in your mind, body, and spirit that stems from a healthy relationship with God. You could say spiritual health is a kind of glue that brings all the other pieces of health together.

ways to improve spiritual health

There are 6 areas of focus to help make your spiritual life healthier. These are prayer, reading the Word, fasting, discipleship, journaling and finding a buddy.

Pray More

There is power In prayer. It is your direct line to God. In fact, I’d say prayer is the foundation of spiritual health. I encourage you to start each day with prayer. Simply thank God for a new day and ask Him to guide you through it. The more you pray, the easier it will be.

Here are some Bible verses on prayer:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17: Rejoice Always, Pray without ceasing.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14:  “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
• Ephesians 6:18: “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”
• Jeremiah 29:12: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”
• James 5:13: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
• Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
• Mathew 6:7: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the pagans do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Study the Bible More

When you read the Word of God, which is alive, powerful and inexhaustible, you will find new applications every time. For example, you can read The Great Gatsby, understand it, apply it and be done with it. However, when you read the Bible, no amount of study or application can exhaust its potential. You can read the same verse at multiple points in your life and get something different from it. 

In the 21st Century, we literally have the Bible at our fingertips. There are many websites and apps available. The Bible is one of them. Youversion is another great option. I am a firm believer in having an actual hard copy of a Bible (we have multiple Bible’s in various translations our house!) but if you can’t get one or you are traveling, you have access to it for free 24/7 using your phone, tablet or computer.

This is an incredible tool given to us by our creator as a guide to life. The more time you spend in the Word, the closer you get to God and the more balanced and aligned you are. Reading the Bible daily is a key component to spiritual health. 

fasting

This is another practice that can strengthen your spiritual health. And one, I will admit, I have not yet grasped. I have been contemplating it and reading up on fasting for years but I still don’t “get it”. Whenever I try to fast for spiritual reasons all I think of is weight loss and how I will benefit. And that’s not the point. So, this is one that I am still working on. However, in our church, fasting from food is not the only way to fast. Pick something that has a hold on you- like social media, gaming, shopping or drinking alcohol. Fasts don’t necessarily have to be food related. Though food fasts are powerful.

Here are three benefits of working fasting into your life.

• It can strengthen your resolve: By denying the body — just a little bit — we’re far more clear-headed and able to be mindful. This puts us in a better mental space to be in touch with our spiritual needs, and, as a result, it makes us more confident in our decisions.
• Fasting instills discipline: While fasting can be done by anyone at any time for any reason, the modern day practice of fasting is centered around Lent, the 40 days in spring we use to intentionally prepare to celebrate Easter. Fasting is a great opportunity to master discipline over our lives and our desires. According to St. Francis of Assisi, though, going the extra mile and fasting on other days will help “to control greediness, and to keep the sensual appetites and the whole body subject to the law of the Spirit; and although we may be able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast.”
• Fasting brings you closer to God and others: Sacrifice is the ultimate gesture of love. When you deprive yourself and are mindfully fasting as a form of prayer and worship, you are demonstrating and experiencing bits sacrificial love which brings you closer to Jesus and reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice that he made for us. By fasting, we can better understand our weaknesses and the weaknesses of others as well as have empathy for others who may be struggling. 

more discipleship

When was the last time that you introduced someone to Christ?

In The Great Commission, Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all the nations. Mathew 28:19 It is basically our job, as believers, to share the gospel and introduce people to Jesus. We cannot force people to accept the Truth, that is up to the Holy Spirit, but we can make the introduction.

When we follow the Will of God and share the gospel, it brings us closer to Him and we become more spiritually balanced. Imagine the boost to your spiritual wellness when you help someone find Christ!

journaling

Journaling is a wonderful way to track progress and an excellent tool to see how far you have come on your journey- whatever that journey may be. Journaling can be done in various ways from having a gratitude journal, to a prayer log to setting spiritual goals and tracking them.

I have mentors in the faith who have raved about the power of a prayer journal. Jotting down prayers, dating them and logging when they were answered. It helps you stand strong in your faith when you are feeling discouraged; seeing how God has been faithful over the years.

However you choose to use journaling, you will be helped in your spiritual health and wellness. 

find an accountability partner or group

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Just like having a workout buddy or a weight loss pal is helpful to reach your goals, so is having a spiritual accountability partner. While having a one-on-one partner is powerful, being part of a group is also very helpful (like a gym class, AA or WW)  This is why I love having a Ladies Bible Study to attend. Studying the word, doing homework, discussing it when we meet in person; all of it helps me stay on track, growing closer to God in the process. 

Spiritual wellness can bring comfort and lend strength for handling life’s challenges. Some people find that tending to the spirit seems to be as healing as medicine itself. The next time you feel off-balance, try focusing on your soul.