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Alexander Graham Bell was the inventor of the telephone, Konrad Zuse (pronounced Tsoosay) invented the computer, and Henry Ford invented the automobile. Each of these men invented these marvelous tools for the benefit of human kind. We use these inventions every day and have never had to struggle through the failures and retries that it took to create these inventions that we all enjoy. This isn’t the case with our spiritual health. Someone else cannot do all the work for us in order for us to reap the benefits. This is our responsibility.
Neglecting our physical health by failing to do important daily things such as exercise, hand and body washing, and eating regular wholesome meals can lead to illness. The same applies to our spiritual health, yet this is an often neglected part of people’s lives today.
There are five important exercise tools that will help us build and strengthen our spiritual health. These tools are:
1. Strengthen the mind – through prayer
2. Get and utilize the Trainer- the Holy Ghost
3. Build the muscle- with Gospel Knowledge
4. Eat daily healthy meals and snacks- scripture study
5. Put yourself on a daily maintenance program – regular daily use of the tools and going to church each week.
Strengthen the mind through Prayer
One of the first things you have to learn to do when exercising is to strengthen the mind. The mind must learn to allow the body to exercise for long lengths of time. Each person must learn to strengthen the mind by gaining control over the negative thoughts or the constant conscious watching of the clock. If you do not gain control over your mind you could allow yourself to sabotage your efforts.
Prayer is communication from our mind and spirit to our Heavenly Father. Prayer is a commandment, but as with all commandments the blessings we receive from obedience are two-fold. Prayer should always be the start of any spiritual exercise program. We are commanded to pray morning and night, but any and all additional prayers help draw us closer to our Heavenly Father. He does hear and answers our prayers: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Pet. 3: 12)
Get and Utilize Your Trainer –the Holy Ghost
If you haven’t ever had an exercise program and you have a desire to get to a certain goal weight and fitness level, the most valuable thing you have can is a trainer to teach you how to reach those goals. The trainer also makes sure you learn to do things the correct way to prevent injury. A fitness trainer is very knowledgeable and knows how to help you get where you want to be.
The Holy Ghost is our “trainer”. He knows everything and is our way of receiving communication from the Father. James E. Talmage explained, “The office of the Holy Ghost in His ministrations among men is described in scripture. He is a teacher sent from the Father; and unto those who are entitled to His tuition He will reveal all things necessary for the soul’s advancement.” (The Articles of Faith (1924)) By listening to the whisperings of inspiration and knowledge from the Holy Ghost we can get to where we want to be in our spiritual goals and growth.
Build the muscle with Gospel Knowledge
Everyone is at a different fitness level. Some are at the couch potato stage, some ride bikes or walk, some run 5k’s regularly or do other forms of intense exercise, and others are marathon runners or bikers and are intense physically fit athletes. If you are at the couch potato level, the best way to move to the next level is to start. We may know someone who can work out two hours a day and seems to be the picture of health. We can inspire to reach higher goals.
Everyone is at a different spiritual level. Don’t compare yourself with others who are on a higher spiritual plane. Instead, be inspired by them and try to make it your goal to one day become like them. I remember the days when I would sit in Relief Society on Sundays and never raised my hand once to add a comment or answer a question because I didn’t feel that knew the gospel well enough. I decided to make a change. It was time for me to build my spiritual muscle by learning more of gospel.
Eat daily healthy meals and snacks- scripture study
When you begin any new program or want to improve your current exercise program, the key is to be consistent. Every day that you do not progress you are regressing, especially in terms of spirituality.
As any athlete knows, eating healthy food fuels the body and keeps it strong enough to maintain the physical body for the exercise he/she does. If you fall of the wagon and eat a large high fat and calorie meal at McDonald’s it could cause you to have a difficult time performing and usually you will feel sluggish during your exercise routine. On the opposite end of the spectrum, not eating enough calories can keep you from having the strength needed to complete a vigorous activity.
Personal devotionals are a great “healthy meal” for the spirit. Devotionals are a set amount of time spent reading and studying the scriptures and can also include extra spiritual resources such as gospel handbooks, family home evening manuals, and other resources. These personal devotional times help to enlighten your mind and understanding of the gospel which in turn strengthen your testimony and bring your closer to Heavenly Father.
The Fourteen Day Walk with Christ is a wonderful program that will help start you on your way or serve as a new way to inspire you in your daily devotionals.
Other “healthy meals” to feed the spirit are family scripture study time, and Family Home Evenings on Monday night.
Snacks can be quotes from prophets or scripture verses for inspiration. LDS.org has Daily Gems of spiritual nuggets that are sent by email daily.
Put yourself on a daily maintenance program – regular daily use of the tools and going to church each week.
Treasures are found in regular physical exercise and consistent caring for the physical body. After beginning my first steady exercise routine after having child number seven, I remember the first time I ran across a parking lot to grab my wallet from the car. When I got back instead and to the register I was so excited to realize I wasn’t even winded from that sprint. It was a nugget of treasure for me. Other treasures are an increase in energy levels, and an increase in strength. Another treasure regular exercise gives is an increase in endorphins and decrease in feeling low which sometimes cause problems with depression.
When we build our “spiritual muscle” through regular exercise we increase our personal strength to withstand temptations, receive “coaching” from the Holy Ghost, become closer to Heavenly Father and as a result you will feel happier and good about where you are headed.
“But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life” (Alma 32:41)
Part of the maintenance program includes regular church attendance and taking of the Sacrament. Sunday church attendance renews our covenants with Heavenly Father, strengthens and re-inspires us for the upcoming week.
Remember when planning and executing your daily spiritual exercises don’t forget the five important tools: Strengthen the mind – through prayer, get and utilize the Trainer- the Holy Ghost, build the muscle- with gospel knowledge, eat daily healthy meals and snacks- scripture study, put yourself on a daily maintenance program – regular daily use of the tools and going to church each week. These tools are sure to help you build, maintain, and strengthen your spirituality each day.
Shiloah Baker is a mom of seven, pregnant with #8, married to the man she’s madly in love with. Exercise is her vice. She runs a The Homemaking Cottage and homeschools. In her spare time she sews, crafts, writes and reads. Join us at The Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition for 1157 ways to improve your home and family! http://www.homemaking-cottage.com/ And don’t forget to join our ezine for free ideas. Free Homemaking Newsletter
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