Exercising my soul

This morning I got up before the rest of the family, which I am learning to really love.  I am embracing my time alone and undistracted, even if it can only happen in the wee hours of the morning!  Amazing how things change.  I just wish I had agreed with God on this time a long time ago.  So, this morning I was reading my Beth Moore study on John.  It has been a blessing and today was no different.  Today was actually over the top for me.  She started out with two questions:  What role does good health play in the condition of your soul and your relationship with God? Or the other way around–how does your soul’s fitness affect you physically?   And she asked, What could Satan do, though, if we become overly fretful about our physical health and the other stresses of age avoidance?  What’s the balance here?        These were great questions for me.  Beth Moore wrote some of her thoughts, and I thought some of my own.  This subject has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Where is my worth?  Am I thin enough?  Why did I have to be so “hippy”?  (and I am not talking about peace, love and rocking roll here…not that anyone who knows me wondered that)  I wish my hair was straight.  Why is my nose so big?  And then after having kids I found myself in a whole other frame of thought….Will I ever have a flat stomach again?  (I think I can answer that,ummm, no.)  Will I ever fit back in my size ** pants?  (and here’s where I get really honest)  Is Josh as attracted to me now that my body is different?  Does he miss the flat stomach?  (for all practical purposes, I think I can answer NO for him in regards to missing my flat stomach…haha)  Josh really is a PHENOMENAL husband and none of these crazy thoughts and questions have anything to do with him. He treats me so great…he is a sweet husband and an answer to prayer.  Sooooo, these thoughts that could (at certain times of the month) take over my mind were not healthy and needed to be dealt with.  I have read books on the issue, joined a gym, joined Weight Watchers in the past….all of which were great things at the time and each had wonderful benefits to my life.  I don’t know how I would have lost 30 pounds without counting points.  I enjoyed getting more toned at the gym, and the book is one I have referred back to many times.  But, for some reason, this morning’s time with the Lord was SO ENLIGHTENING….mainly because of this verse:

DEAR FRIEND, I PRAY THAT YOU MAY PROSPER IN EVERY WAY AND BE IN GOOD HEALTH, JUST AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS.

 3 John 2

Wow.  That is no simple prayer.  I wondered, “Would I be so glad someone is praying this for me?  Is my soul prospering so greatly that I would want my health and myself to prosper in just the same measure?”  Woa.  

The Lord has been working on this area of my life for a while, but I would definitely say that through different circumstances and conversations, the issue has been more intense over the last two months or so.  And I truly believe He was using all of this “stuff” to get me ready for THIS MORNING.  He may have known what was coming (what am I saying?  Ofcourse He knew!!!), and maybe He was even excited that I was going to read this verse today and hear from Him so clearly.  Exercising my soul in this daily time in His Word, time meditating on Scripture, time in prayer for the many needs is VITAL TO MY HEALTH.  MY SOUL’S HEALTH, which is most important anyway.  I mean, what are we left with at the end of this time on earth?  I am very aware that we should take care of our bodies—eat good foods, exercise, drink water, laugh, get enough sleep—but, oh, we can miss it, can’t we?  We can find ourselves taking care of our bodies while our soul wastes away and dries up.  BUT I would venture to say that if we are taking care of our soul that our view of our bodies, our God-created bodies, will be healthy, and we will be very well aware of where our worth comes from and what is most important in this life.  

Here is the prayer Beth Moore started the prayer time with:

Lord, You have taught us in Your Word not to consider ourselves as wise but to fear You and turn away from evil, for this will be healing for our bodies and strengthening for our bones (Prov 3:8).  You have also said that paying attention to Your Word and teaching, keeping them within our heart, will be life to those of us who find them and health to our whole body (Prov 4:20-22).  I receive this today as both a warning and a blessing, wanting to honor You in every part of my life, knowing that You have created me to be whole and healthy and to prosper.

And this week I was already starting to memorize I Peter 3:3-4  “Your adornment must not be  merely external-braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

The Lord is working in my life, and I am so very thankful!  I know a lot of truths and lessons just have to be learned the hard way or through circumstances, but OH how I hope and pray that I can help our girls and big Mack to know the importance of taking care of their soul and spending time in The Word of God…..to know in Whom their worth is found and maybe they won’t have to wait until they are in their thirties to “get it.”