Spiritual Health: Putting God First

While this is a health blog I will tell you that I am a Christian who believes the Bible. I do think that my spiritual health and well being are more important than my physical, however, I feel that I am called to take care of my body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I have tried for years to get my body in shape but it did not seem to be working until I began making time with God a priority. I spend each morning (well most of them) in the Word of God and in prayer. It seemed to me that once I gave my spiritual life priority, it was then that I was able to make the wise choices about my physical health. I found a verse in my reading of Proverbs this morning that really confirmed and spoke to that.

Proverbs 3:⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

⁸ This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Simply reading the Word and praying will not be enough. We must do as James says and listen to the Word and "do" what it says. This is what brings us health. While I think it is important to care for our bodies, eat healthy and exercise I know that in the end God is in control of the length of my life. While I want to live a long life and be here for my daughter, in the end God is in control of when my time comes. I just want know that when it comes it was His time, not simply me reaping the results of the poor choices that I sowed.

For those out there who are believers, or who are at least interested in learning more, I wanted to share a tool that am utilizing to read through the Bible in a year. Did you know that if you just read one New Testament Chapter a day for 5 days a week you will have read the entire New Testament in one year? If you have never read the entire bible you might want to start off with just that. I follow that plan but I also follow a plan to read the Old Testament too. So on my weekends off I am reading Psalms, Proverbs and the Prophets. During the week I have my 1 NT chapter and 2 OT chapters. After that I spend time in prayer. This helps me to keep my priorities straight. While I want to make sure I have time to exercise, I do not want it to replace my time with God. Instead I want it to enhance my witness. It was through such a time of devotion that I quit smoking 9 years ago as well. Making God a priority can help you to make the chioces that will not only enhance your spiritual life but will give health to your body and nourishment to your bones. If you want to give that a try, start with a bible reading plan I am using (or find one that you like). Bibleplan.org offers a large variety of plans in several different versions. You can start now, today, anytime. You don't need to go back to January 1 and try to catch up. Just follow the plan starting today and you will finish reading one year from now. There is no time like the present. As the Word says, keeping God's commands will lead us to make wise decisions that will prolong our lives.

Proverbs 3:¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,

² for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.