There are a number of ways to get strong in our physical bodies, but how do we become strong on the inside?
God knew that we would need edifying and building up regularly to prevent us slipping into a negative attitude and frame of mind so He said to do some things to enable us to keep running our race and to remain strong and healthy on the inside.
Jude 20-23 in the bible explains some things to focus on:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (NKJV)
v22 “Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way.”
v23 Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.”(The message)
Building up our faith is one of the most effective ways of strengthening and making us strong. One of the ways we do this is to read and study God’s words in the bible and then to go out and practice living it.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.” (James 1:22-25 The Message)
It’s also helpful to:
Read different bible translations to look at what God is saying from every angle. The New King James, New Living Translation, The Message Bible, The Amplified Bible, The New International Version and the Passion Translation line my bookshelf and are all regularly laid out on my bed as I study out what I am reading
Listen to preaching that builds your trust in God. God uses others who are more mature in an area of their faith to help us grow.
Surround yourself with faith filled people who actually believe God and what His word says.
Pray in the spirit. It is a gift from God which is designed to edify our spirits and to strengthen us in our faith.
I’ve discovered that we can look amazing; have a wonderful partner, family, a home and money to spend on whatever we wish, yet if our spiritual life is lacking and in a weakened state then all the trappings of a “successful life” won’t amount to much, especially when we face the more difficult challenges of life. Sadly the more depleted or empty we allow our spiritual lives to be the greater the emptiness and inability to deal with “real life” becomes.
God wants better for us and if we just listen and take the time with Him we will become far stronger and more capable than we could possibly imagine.
Today be honest with yourself and God, understanding that He doesn’t want you to be lacking in any way. You were created to be physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually strong. I encourage you to make a decision to do something about building into your spiritual life by asking Jesus to be part of your world and to remove any pain and hurt you have suffered. Let Him fill any emptiness or lack you feel and then choose to concentrate on building your relationship and life with Him little by little and day by day. Believe me if you do, very soon you won’t recognise yourself for the spiritual heavy weight you have become.
Prayer: Lord help me to face facts and be honest about my spiritual condition. I ask that you help me to build my faith and trust in you today. In Jesus Name Amen.
Comments