The Practical helps with the Spiritual

Yes, I can find every excuse under the sun to not go do my exercises. I injured myself a few weeks ago and finally went to the physiotherapist. I need to do exercises on my knee joint. It may never fully recover but will repair a bit and will get better mobility. Let alone hopefully reduce in the stiffness and pain.

But unless I have another appointment the next day which pushes me to go do the exercises, the weights just sit on the floor. I need to strengthen some of the surrounding muscles to support the weaker area. When I get up quickly or awkwardly out of a sitting position, I have to grit my teeth for the stab of pain alerts me that all is not well. If I sit too long or stand too long the area needs a change in posture or again, I’m gritting my teeth.

So why not do the exercises?

Time poor.

That’s my excuse anyway. But it’s a valid one. I have too much on my plate. But the Holy Spirit prompts me often – ‘Go do the exercises. It will help. Make the time.’

Hang on a minute I think, why is the Holy Spirit or my conscious (For that is how often the Spirit speaks) talking to me about my practical human life? Because HE does. The Spirit speaks to the whole of us. For our mental, physical, emotional being can affect greatly our spiritual being. The Spirit is interested in US. The entirety of us.

If I can cope better physically, I then do not have to concentrate on it as much and can put my effort and thoughts to more things of God. But if I can help myself physically be stronger then I don’t get fatigue as much and can focus on the works of God and reaching others for Him.  So for my health, to look after my body,– which is a temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell within,– I have an obligation to look after it, to the best of my ability.

Now if in all of this, it cannot help improve my walking ability, then so be it. But it cannot be from lack of trying. I need to put in the effort to the best of my ability.

The Holy Spirit talks to us through Scripture too. In the second book of Timothy it states:

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

2 Tim 3:16-17 NRSV

And so also in the first book of Corinthians:

But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.

1 Corinthians 15:46 NRSV

We all need to look after this body, this spirit that God has given to us.

And so, I have started. I not only set myself up with some weights to lift (for I need to load the muscles to improve them and the circulation) but I also am changing my schedule to fit it into my busy day.

As I finished the first day, I smiled. ‘That was not that bad’, I said to myself.

How about you? Have you been asked by your doctor to look after your body more? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you about your health? Are you doing something about it?

Make the time. Re-prioritise your daily calendar. God would want you to be as healthy as possible so that you can be a good example in all areas – for God draws us to His perfect self.

Now of course the health of our spirits is of higher priority as stated in Proverbs where if your Spirit is healthy this will heal your flesh and be a refreshment for your body.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
 It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.

Proverbs 3:5-8 NRSV

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Are you looking after yourself physically? Have you been ignoring some advice that you know you should be following?

Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you about your health? Are you doing something about it?

What can you do to re-priortise some things in your life?

Have you found that once looking after the physical you are more able to focus on the spiritual? What has been your experience?