Weekly Magazine | Renewing Your Spiritual Health
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Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt spiritually drained—like you're running on empty, trying to keep up with life but feeling distant from God? Just like our physical health, our spiritual health needs care, attention, and renewal.
The good news? God doesn’t leave us to figure it out alone. He invites us to come to Him for refreshment, strength, and deeper faith. In this issue, we’re exploring what it means to renew our spiritual health—how to recognize when we’re running low, practical ways to restore our connection with God, and how the Bible can become a wellspring of encouragement and joy in our daily lives.
If you’re longing to feel spiritually strong, refreshed, and closer to God, this issue is for you!
Encouraging You in God’s Truth,
🌿 Feature Article: The Remedy for Spiritual Renewal by Barbara Rodgers
Just like physical health, our spiritual health needs care and attention. Discover how to recognize signs of spiritual depletion and take steps toward renewal in your relationship with God.
🌿 You Can Enjoy the Bible with These Three Shifts by Debbie W. Wilson
Feeling stuck in your Bible reading? A few simple shifts in your mindset and approach can transform your time in God’s Word from a routine to a joy-filled encounter.
🌿 Uncovering Hidden Treasures to Fall in Love with God Anew by Stephanie Rouselle
God’s Word is full of treasures waiting to be discovered! Learn how to dive deeper into Scripture and experience fresh awe and wonder in your faith.
The Remedy for Spiritual Renewal
By: Barbara Rodgers
In the famous 1952 television episode of I Love Lucy, Lucy rehearses for a television commercial for the health elixir Vitameatavegamin. Unbeknownst to her, the elixir contains 23% alcohol, and the rehearsal does not go well since she has to take many spoonfuls during several retakes.
An elixir is a medicinal liquid remedy, often containing alcohol to mask its unpleasant taste. Years ago, it was believed to have magical powers to cure all kinds of ailments. Lucy’s elixir promised that the solution to all your problems was in the little bottle of Vitameatavegamin, full of vitamins, meat, vegetables, and minerals. What a claim—to spoon your way to health. And of course, it was so tasty too. Just like candy!
We can laugh at the claims the elixir commercial made, but many people still spend good money on outlandish claims to feel healthier.
What about our spiritual health? How much time and energy do we spend on what really matters most—our spiritual well-being?
SUPPORT FOR THE SOUL
I admit that I have been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted at times. I have been “tired, run-down, and listless,” as Lucy described in her TV commercial. No elixir can remedy what ails me spiritually. When my prayer list gets longer and longer and my heart is heavy with burdens, whether my own or someone else's, it can take a huge toll.
So many times we are tempted to skip the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and meditation because we are simply too exhausted to do anything except what is necessary to get by that day. When I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, I have to remind myself that God has much bigger shoulders than mine. He can carry my burdens.
When I feel compelled to doubt and worry, that’s when my alone time with God that can revive me. When we give our burdens to the Lord in prayer and quietness, He alone can refresh us and breathe new life into our souls. Sometimes just sitting and waiting in silence is all it takes. No words, no noise, just quiet.
PERSEVERE IN HIM
Praying for situations or for certain people for a long time without seeing any progress or results may be wearisome, but we can’t give up. When you are overcome by life’s circumstances and can’t seem to get your words together to even begin a prayer, look to Scripture for ways to pray. God’s Word gives us peace and tremendous hope because His Word will not return without doing what it says (Isa. 55:10–11). Find Scripture verses that express how you feel and turn them into a prayer. The Psalms are a good place to start. Pray your Scripture-based prayers out loud as much as possible. By doing so, you are seeing them with your eyes and hearing them with your ears. Your faith will build, since Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Admit to God that you are spiritually and physically exhausted. Ask Him if there’s something you need to do to bring about health. I have a faithful and trusted friend who holds me accountable should I need to change any bad habits that might contribute to my poor physical and spiritual well-being. Proverbs 27:6 says that faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Find a good friend who will be honest with you and lift you up in prayer. You don’t want a friend who will tell you only what you want to hear.
We know that God is working even when the answer is delayed. Through our trials, He is conforming us to the image of His Son, no matter how painful that can be at times. He alone can refresh our hearts and strengthen our spirits. He will fight our battles for us.
Start your prayers by being in the presence of God. We are always in His presence—whether cooking, mowing the lawn, changing diapers, or driving to work. We can always talk to Him no matter what we’re doing. However, many times we need to simply sit, be still, and listen for His voice. We hear Him best when He doesn’t have to compete with all the noise around us.
A PRAYER FOR PRESENCE
Begin with the following prayer to get you started. Always pray from your heart using Scripture as your guide when you don’t know how to pray, are too stressed to pray, or just feel downright weary.
Lord, You have made Yourself known to all mankind through Your creation and through Your Son. Your presence, Lord, is everywhere. Thank You God, that I may know You, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit.
My soul waits in silence for You, God. My salvation comes from You. You only are my rock and my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. I let my every thought be still and know that You are God. I relax and let go of anything that encumbers and detracts my mind, my thoughts. I bring my thoughts captive, making them obedient to Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.
Lord, if there are any sins in my life that hinder You from hearing my prayers, please show them to me now. I confess these sins knowing that You are faithful and righteous to forgive me. I want my heart to be pure and cleansed of all unrighteousness before You, O Lord.
[Pause for a few moments to hear the Lord speak to you.]
Lord, gently, lovingly impress the Living Word upon my mind and my heart as I read, meditate, and study the Word of God. Cause new revelation to shine into my heart. I am transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God.
Help me pour myself out for the sake of the gospel of Christ. It is only because of You that I live and move and have my being. Strengthen me in the power of the Holy Spirit. Your Spirit gives me life, vitality, and energy to do Your will. Help me be attentive to Your whispers, Your calling, Your still, small voice. Comfort me when times may be discouraging or seem hopeless. Help me remember Your promises, Your blessings.
When my joy is gone, You restore it.
When Your love seems far away, You renew it.
When Your grace seems nowhere to be found, You help me find it.
When I feel empty and drained, You fill me up.
When my hope is crushed, You sustain me with Your Word.
When I can’t seem to hear Your voice, You quiet my soul.
You, Lord, are in Your holy temple; let all the earth be silent before You. Your perfect work is being done in me. The Son of God is building His perfect temple of life and wholeness, conforming me to His image.
I desire to be in the center of Your will for my life because in that place, all is well.
O Holy One, cover me with Your wings of love, grace, and protection at all times.
You, Lord, are in Your holy temple. I am silent. I listen. I am at peace. The peace of God guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Thank You Lord, for hearing my prayer.
In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
As you seek God and His will for your life, may He strengthen you physically, encourage you emotionally, and refresh your soul like no earthly elixir can do. Those are spiritual claims you can count on.
Having retired as a graphic designer, Barbara pursues her passion of writing, designing, and creating projects to encourage believers in their faith and prayer. In the past she led women’s groups and retreats, Bible studies, prayer groups, and children’s ministries. She wrote and illustrated children’s Bible lessons and activity books for Legacy Press. Growing Up on Fox Street is a recently published book she wrote and illustrated detailing her elementary school years in the 1960s. Barbara currently leads a church prayer team and serves on a mission’s board of directors. She is married and has one daughter and one granddaughter.
February Sponsor: Zondervan
Read:
Reflect:
What signs in my life indicate that my spiritual health needs attention?
How can I shift my focus from external busyness to inner renewal in Christ?
What habits can I cultivate to maintain a spiritually healthy heart?
Verse of the Week:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
You Can Enjoy the Bible with These Three Shifts
By: Debbie W. Wilson
Do you ever feel like reading the Bible is a struggle? You’re not alone. Many of us desire to grow in God’s Word but feel stuck, distracted, or unmotivated. The good news is that small shifts in how we approach Scripture can make a big difference. By adjusting our mindset, method, and expectations, we can rediscover the joy of engaging with the Bible. Ready to refresh your time in God’s Word?
Uncovering Hidden Treasures to Fall in Love with God Anew
By: Stephanie Rouselle
Sometimes, our faith can feel routine—like we’re going through the motions rather than living in awe of God. But what if there’s more? What if Scripture holds treasures waiting to be uncovered? When we dig deeper into God’s Word, we experience Him in fresh and exciting ways. If you’re longing to fall in love with God all over again, this article will guide you toward new discoveries.
Prayer of the Week
Father, I come to You feeling the weight of life’s busyness, distractions, and struggles. I don’t want to just go through the motions—I want to be spiritually healthy, rooted in You, and thriving in my faith. Help me to recognize when my soul is weary and to turn to You instead of pushing through on my own strength. Renew my heart, restore my joy, and deepen my love for Your Word. Give me a hunger for Your truth and the discipline to spend time with You daily. Thank You for always being my source of life and strength. I trust You to refresh me as I seek You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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