Discover why it is important to attend to your spiritual health and happiness by investing in your relationship with God. Time spent listening to God through His Word is a key practice to develop a healthy spirit as well as a deeper sense of contentment in your life. Guest writer, Keon Lindsey, shares key messages from God’s Word with four simple tips to nurture your spiritual health.
* Keon and I are teaming up to offer a copy of our books. Don’t miss the book giveaway at the end of this post!
Is Your Spirit Healthy?
Today there is a near continuous stream of headlines about physical and mental health ailments and concerns. Yet, if humans are spirit, mind, and body, why are so few talking about the poor state of our spiritual health? It is time to think about our spirits, the part of us that will live forever, because it is becoming clear that our problems are linked. How so?
When you are physically sick do you feel happy? Or when you are emotionally down do you feel physically strong? The answer to both questions is, no. So, why should you feel great if you are not spiritually healthy? In reality, you can’t. That’s why a 2024 Gallup poll found “less than half of Americans say they are ‘very satisfied’ with the way things are going in their personal lives.”
Our inner unhappiness is why we always want more. We try to fill our spiritual needs with things that make our bodies and minds happy. More money, another party, another boy or girlfriend, a better job, a bigger house, more recognition, more fun – this does nothing for our spirits. We spend our lives chasing more and are still unsatisfied because only one thing can satisfy our spirit. What is it?
The Secret to a Healthy Spirit
The secret to spiritual health and happiness is a personal relationship with our Creator. The Lord made us to fellowship with Him. However, as a society and as individuals, we have turned away from Him, desiring to be our own boss. Yet, history, science, and statistics show that humans have never been and can never be happy without God. Have you realized this? When things are quiet, do you feel a need for something more?
Thankfully, the Lord deeply cares for us humans even though many have largely ignored Him. In fact, He has written a love letter to humanity filled with messages to meet our spirits’ needs. This love letter is, of course, the Bible. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed reading it and have come to appreciate many of the messages God has for us in the Bible. Here are a few to consider:
Biblical Wisdom Builds Spiritual Health
God wants us to be wise.
Why should we care about God’s wisdom?
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)
Often what seems right to a human, or earthly wisdom, is shortsighted. It only looks at the here and now instead of the long-term. Human wisdom says, “Get all you can, however you can, as fast as you can so that you can be happy, because life is all about you.” Does that sound selfish? It is and is an unfulfilling way to live. Heavenly wisdom is good and leads to life.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by [wisdom] your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you. (Proverbs 9:10-11)
This is why the famous verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust God’s wisdom and not our own. We need God’s wisdom and guidance to make decisions, experience God’s will, and enjoy spiritual health.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in God’s Power is a Vital Part of Spiritual Health
God wants us to know He is powerful. The most obvious characteristic of God is His power as, by definition, a deity must have supernatural power. Then why does the Lord take time to tell us of His power and abilities? There is a direct relationship between our understanding of God’s power and how we live. When we lack trust in God’s power, our spiritual health suffers.
So, what does He say about power?
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11)
The Lord said power belongs to Him. He is the source of strength, authority, and ability. For example, God has the power to create.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3)
God not only made everything, He exercises power over nations (Psalm 2) and rulers. The Bible states the following truth:
The Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17b)
The Bible records many examples of the Lord’s power, such as the healings of Jesus, so that we can know He is the Almighty. What does this mean for us? Since He is the Creator, we belong to Him.
- Since He is the greatest, we are wise to listen when He speaks.
- Since He is the King of kings, we should obey His laws.
- Since He is the Almighty, He has the power to do what He says, so we can trust him!
Therefore, when Jesus says He can forgive sins and take you to Heaven, we can believe it!
These are just two of the 30 messages I enjoyed researching and writing about in my book Have You Heard from God Lately? As mentioned earlier, the Bible has wonderful and important messages from the Lord to you. Reading and embracing God’s messages in the Bible gives us the truth we need to grow spiritually healthy as we cultivate a deeper relationship with God. (Affiliate link).
Our Relationship with God is the Foundation of Spiritual Health
So how do we grow a personal relationship with God to become spiritually healthy? Make time for the Lord. If you never spend time with a person, you can’t become friends. The same is true with God. Block off time each day to be away from distractions so you can communicate. Start with 10-15 minutes, and as you develop the habit and experience the joy, increase the time as you can. Consider four helpful tips to invest in your relationship with God and increase your spiritual health:
1. Calm down and focus your thoughts. This can be the hardest part, since society and social media has trained us to go, go, go. Purposely give God your attention instead of thinking about all that must be done today.
2. Let God talk – open the Bible and read it. A Bible reading plan can be very helpful so you are not going to random verses and confusing yourself. Maybe start with the New Testament and read through it 1-3 chapters a day.
3. Listen to God – think about what you have read. What did the Bible say? What was going on in the passage? Did anything stand out to you? Can you see the application for your life? Did it raise questions? If so, or if anything is confusing, write it down and plan time to research or ask for help with the topic. You will find that to be very rewarding and increase your desire to share time with the Lord. Learn more about listing to God in Ginger’s excellent article, “Learn Six Important Truths About Listening to God”
4. Talk to God – prayer isn’t complicated, it is just talking with God. Ask Him to help you understand or see if there is an application for what you just read. Tell Him thank you for the truth or promise that you saw in the Bible and ask for faith to believe and apply it. Of course, the Lord cares about your daily life, so let Him know what is weighing on your mind and ask for guidance or assistance.
These are four basic steps to increase your spiritual health and happiness, which will impact your satisfaction in life. Isn’t it amazing that God made you to be with Him and He wants to be with you? Take a minute now to tell the Lord, thank you, that you don’t have to chase money, fun, or more of anything. You can simply come to the Lord who is so powerful that He can love and care about you. . . and your spiritual health!
About the Author
Keon Lindsey is a family man, Christian Author, former Business Consultant, Project Management Professional, and Navy Veteran with a variety of life experiences. He has earned a Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate, worked for himself, flown small airplanes and large jets, and has a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Yet, what brings him lasting satisfaction is studying and sharing God’s Word, the Bible. Keon hopes that his writings inspire you to seek that great satisfaction as well. Investigate specific messages from the Lord for you with his new book:
Have You Heard from God Lately? 30 Messages from Heaven for You
Connect with Keon at https://KeonLindsey.com
Be sure to enter to win a copy of Keon’s latest book at the end of this post!
A Note From Ginger
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post on cultivating a healthy spirit from my friend, Keon Lindsey. My husband and I met Keon in 2001. At the time, both Mark (my fella) and Keon were attending the Navel Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. We’ve stayed connected through the years. Interestingly, both Keon and I were called to writing ministries. When you develop your relationship with God and seek His wisdom for your life, you never know where He will lead. It is a joy and adventure to walk with God in discovering and developing our calling.
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of Keon’s book, Have You Heard from God Lately? 30 Messages from Heaven to You. Keon does an excellent job of encouraging readers to understand that the Bible is God’s Word, His personal message of love and salvation to each of us. With candor and clarity, Lindsey packs each chapter with Scripture, insights, and thought-provoking questions. He inspires and challenges us to listen, believe, apply, and share God’s messages of love and salvation. With an organized and thorough overview of Scripture, Lindsey clearly shares the message that God loves us and that Jesus died to save us. This book will inspire mature Christians to deeper accountability, but will also provide many with answers to questions they have about God.
Leave a comment a comment to share what you’ve been reading lately to nurture your spiritual health! I can’t wait to see what you are reading and what you like about it.
We have a Book Giveaway!!
Keon has generously offered a copy of his book to us! To join the celebration of his book release, I’m throwing in a copy of Holy in the Moment for added value and fun! We will pick a winner on March 22. (Must live in the continental US to win).
Enter the form below to win your copy of Have You Heard From God Lately? + Holy in the Moment!! (Affiliate links at no cost to you).
More Posts to Deepen Your Relationship with God for Spiritual Health
- How to Stay Focused in Prayer
- Discover Six Important Truths About Listening to God*
- Six Short Devotions to Help You Listen to Jesus
- 5 Simple Ways Silence Can Deepen Your Faith
- 15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction to Focus Your Attention on God
*An all-time top 10 post.
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
