Are You Spiritually Healthy?

By Mike Hey

1 Timothy 4:7-9

"Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it."

During Lent Matthew Kelly asked his readers this question and it got me thinking. We seem to discount or downplay our spiritual health and fitness even though it is as important as our physical and emotional well -being. I sure did. My priorities were screwed up. After taking a personal inventory of my life it became clear to me that the emptiness I was feeling was the absence of Christ. I had no relationship with Him, and this needed repairing.

We all know that our bodies and minds function and feel better with daily physical exercise, nutritious foods, and a good night’s sleep. Good hygiene, right? Neglecting any of these can lead to serious health issues. Abusive behaviors are also detrimental. No brainer. Our spiritual health requires as much attention. I'm convinced that we cannot experience the abundant life in Jesus Christ without exercising good spiritual hygiene on a systematic basis. Here's why. God wants us living our lives before the world in a manner that glorifies Him through Jesus Christ. In order for that to be the case, we must demonstrate the attributes of Christ. This comes naturally when we are led by the Holy Spirit, Who will fuel us with spiritual health and enrichment in a continual, renewing process. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we are led by the Holy Spirit. And when we are led by the Holy Spirit, people see the attributes of Jesus Christ flowing from us.

Like many of you perhaps, my faith is a work in process requiring daily exercise and fuel. The fuel consists of the following attributes:

• Systematically read your Bible and other inspirational texts
  David in Psalm 119:9 said, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." He goes on to say in verse 11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." The New Testament is full of references to the power of God through the Word of God. Jesus declared that the Word sanctifies (sets us apart) in John 17:17-19. Paul reinforces the cleansing power of the Word of God in Ephesians 5:26. We are told in II Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." There's no question about it; the study of God’s Word is vital to good spiritual health. Find quiet time for this each day.
  
• Consistent, daily prayer
  Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." He admonished the Colossians when he wrote in 4:2, "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Daily conversational prayer throughout the day with God is an important component to good spiritual health. Pray fervently, intentionally, and continuously.
• Fellowship with other Catholics
  We need the support of other Catholic brothers and sisters. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." He told the Hebrews in 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Good spiritual health requires that we regularly meet with other faithful. It's the support structure that contributes to our spiritual well-being. This can be accomplished through regular attendance of Mass, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Adoration, PX90, CRHP, and other functions associated with our parish and archdiocese.
• Sharing one's faith
  Here's the exercise component to good spiritual health - sharing what you know about Christ. Paul wrote in II Corinthians 5:19-20, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Him, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God." There it is...our job is to serve Jesus Christ as ambassadors. When you've been reading your Bible, praying and spending time with others, sharing just comes naturally. Of the four attributes this is the most difficult for me.

So how is your spiritual health? Our lives are not sprints, but long races with a glorious finish line waiting. Feeling strong for the long race ahead? Think about it for a few minutes, and then drop and give me twenty (Hail Mary’s that is).


Revelation 14:12
"This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus."