SPIRITUAL HEALTH IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, PART 2

Cast all your anxiety on (God) because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:7-9

Today I share tip #2 for pursuing spiritual health in uncertain seasons.

When things seem to be changing every other day or with each new week, we realize just how much in this world is outside of our control. That’s why the last post encouraged us to look to God and be reminded of His sovereign power and His steadfast love for us. It is these facts about God that bring us peace in the midst of the anxiety we often feel. This is foundational for us as Christians. Once we have reoriented ourselves by fixing our eyes upon the Lord, there are a few other things we can do to pursue spiritual health in uncertain seasons. 

Today’s Tip: Control what you consume.

Even when much of life is beyond our control, we can still take responsibility for the things that are in our power to control. While you might not be able to control what happens all around you, you do have control over what you allow in you.

This is important because input affects your attitude as well as your actions. What you consume directly impacts all aspects of your health - including spiritually. Three thoughts for today’s tip:

1. Make sure your input is healthy input. Psalm 101:2b-3a says, “I will live with a heart of integrity in my house. I will not set anything worthless before my eyes.” Think about what you watch, what you read, and what you listen to. Evaluate what you put into your body physically, such as food and drink. Be aware of how you are spending your time and money. All of these things affect you. Are these things contributing to your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health? Are they building godliness & integrity into your life? Or, are they eroding it?
2. Replace negatives with positives. The Apostle Paul had an interesting pattern when he talked about living the Christian life. He didn’t tell people what negative things to get rid of without giving them God-honoring things to replace it. For example, in Ephesians 4:22-24, he says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception… Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” As you honestly assess your input, where are negatives that need to be eliminated? Negatives could include things like alcohol, drugs, overeating, porn, gambling, or other vices. They could also include social media scrolling, binge-watching Netflix  too much attention to news outlets, or many other things that fuel anxiety, impurity, or negativity. Replace those things with something better like exercise, prayer, reading the Bible, listening to an inspiring podcast or sermon, reading an uplifting book, or calling up a close friend for an encouraging conversation. 
3. Reach out.  If you find yourself struggling with a besetting sin or addiction, ask for a little help from a trusted Christian friend, pastor, or counselor. Don’t go through it alone! The devil loves to try to trap us in isolation. Don’t fall for this. Reach out to someone for support. Second, reach out to God. He is always available to help us. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 

Take a moment and consider the things you are consuming right now. Honestly evaluate your life using the following questions:

• What negatives things are you consuming that are unhelpful to your life?
• What good and positive activities are life-giving to you? How might you incorporate more of these things into your life right now?
• What sources of input edify your spirit and deepen your faith and loving devotion to God? What steps can you take to ensure that these are a regular part of your life?
• Who might you talk with about these questions and about the support you need for making healthy shifts in controlling what you consume?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you said that where my treasure is, my heart will be, and that the eye is the lamp of the body. If my eyes are good, my whole body will be full of light, but if my eyes are bad, my whole. Body will. Be full of darkness. (Matthew 6:21-23).  

Forgive me for the following negative things I’ve been consuming: (name anything that the Lord brings to mind to confess).

Thank you for the following positive things that build health into my life: (name those positive things that help you grow in God-honoring ways).

Show me things you would like me to either eliminate (negatives), or add (positive) in my life. (Pause to listen to the voice of God.)

Heavenly Father, help me to control what I consume so that I can live a life of godly integrity before you.

For your glory, amen.