Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Discipline: Tying Them Together

Over the last several posts, I've spent a lot of time on these three.  Before moving us into the fourth area of discipline (emotional), it seems like it would be good to bring these three we've looked at all together.

As we look at the way we operate as humans (the way God created us to be), we recognize that we cannot easily divide ourselves to talk about one part of what we are as though it doesn't affect the rest.  When our bodies hurt, we often have a difficult time concentrating, and those moments also tend to bring us to low points spiritually.  On the other hand, when we introduce greater health to one of these areas, it has a tendency to spill over into the others, as well.  (I've noticed this in that my running has helped to sharpen both my thinking and my spiritual disciplines.) 

That's the tie that these three have together.  When we are unhealthy in one area, it's likely to affect the other areas too.  I can't really think of a greater example of this than what you can see on the TV show, "The Biggest Loser".  Often you see the contestants breaking into tears at what might seem minor things, but it's because they are crashing through the mental or spiritual barriers that have often led to their lack of physical discipline.  Breaking through those barriers is tough, and often should not be done alone, and yet, as we find the strength to do so, we suddenly start to see a better picture of the whole person that God created us to be.

I have to admit that discovering where we are unhealthy in these areas is not often easy, nor is it painless.  Uncovering and then confessing our areas of unhealthiness or weakness will never be easy, much less the task of overcoming it.  And the reality is, we will never fully overcome any of these while we live in this imperfect, broken (i.e. sinful) world.

Yet, God gives us means in our life and in our battle to strengthen these areas of life.  Dealing with these also provides a reminder to just how great life will be in His kingdom when all these areas of life are brought into perfect alignment as we live with God forever, through faith in Jesus.