Wellness Notes – August, 2012
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”
2 Chronicles 16:9
Recently I saw the question: “What is more important Spiritual Strength or Physical Strength?
People forget about Spiritual Strength”. We spend the summer reminding ourselves to get out early in the day or later in the evening when it’s cool to exercise. We evaluate how well our exercise programs are doing in improving our physical strength. We work hard to eat healthy meals to improve our body and our health. We keep track of how strong we feel and how active we remain. How much emphasis do we place on our Spiritual Strength? What are the ways we improve our SPIRITUAL STRENGTH? Consider the following:
- Daily look to your Heavenly Father, whether it be in prayer, supplication, or gratitude.
- Practice prayer as a running conversation with God. Keeping Him in the loop of your daily activities and daily celebrations and concerns.
- Keep the Ten Commandments in daily life and activities.
- Read the Bible—setting your Bible in a prominent place where you are daily reminded to search its truths and study it’s meaning in your life.
- Get a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room, Guideposts, Online Devotions, Phone apps.
- Utilize the “Sticky –Post It” Theory. Place frequent reminders , in prominent places, of affirmations, goals, verses, or statements that remind you of personal improvement and positive thinking
- Practice Positive Thinking
- Strengthen your spirit through visualization. “Picture a prayer or connection with God”
- KNOCK!!! Jesus is ready to answer the door if we only make the effort to knock.
- Attend Church, Visit with your Pastor, Participate by using your time, talents, gifts and service as a member of God’s family.
- Reach out if your ‘spiritual exercise’ program does not seem to be working. Realize Jesus is the BEST spiritual personal trainer. Ask for help from your church, counseling, friends, or mentors.
- · Consider taking a weekend to “Walk to Emmaus”. Your spirit will never be the same. Check out www. upperroom.org/Emmaus/ or ask an Emmaus alumnus in your church family for information
- · Commit yourself to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and pour your energy into the relationship with HIM.
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH TAKES EFFORT AND ENTHUSIASM
Alice Stephenson BSN,RN,PN
Parish Nurse Consultant
602-290-0164