Blogging A to Z -- Caring for Your Spirit

By Shelly Burke

(Adapted from the book Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home.)

The spiritual aspect of your life is the base upon which you build your beliefs and values. You can draw strength and guidance from your Christian beliefs in all aspects of your life, from the mundane details of daily life to the life-changing events.

The Bible offers guidance, answers, and encouragement (go to http://nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-z-challenge-day-2-letter-b.html for suggestions about reading your Bible). God is a source of comfort, an anchor in times of trouble, and the One to whom you can turn any time, any where, and in any and every situation. Faith can bring comfort when nothing else, and no one else, can.

In Hebrews 13:5 God reassures you; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Never. No matter what. No exceptions. He will be there.

Make God Part of Every Day

Caring for your spirit is much more than just attending church and saying prayers at meals and bedtime. It’s vital to work to develop a personal relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah promises that, “The Lord will keep in perfect peace all those…whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Here are some hints for integrating your faith into every part of your daily life:

• Use everyday tasks as a time for prayer. As you fold clothes, pray for the person whose clothes you’re folding. As you cook, pray for those in need. As you clean, pray for those who perform services for your family; teachers, pastors, priests, doctors and nurses. When you’re driving, pray for your friends.
• Write favorite Bible verses on notecards and post them where you’ll see them throughout the day; your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, dashboard of your car, the bulletin board in your office.
• Keep a book of short devotions in the car, and read one when you have “waiting” time. My favorites are Beautiful Feet, Treasured, and A Chocolate Life, all by my favorite author Deb Burma. You can order these purse-sized and very budget-friendly books at www.cph.org.
• Read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date. For example, today is April 3, so read Proverbs 3.
•  Listen to Christian music while you’re working around your house or in your car.
• Start a Joy Journal. List 5 things every day that you are thankful for, from the little things (a short line at the grocery store) to the large, like your family. The Bible tells us we should be “always giving thanks…for everything.” (Ephesians 5:20) Keeping a Joy Journal will draw your attention to the many, many blessings God gives you every day. Research has found that an “attitude of gratitude” has been linked to better sleep, a decrease in anxiety, and higher satisfaction with life in general.
• Pray that God will increase your faith and create in you the desire to know more about Him.

 Your spiritual life should permeate all aspects of your life; nurture your relationship with the Lord and it will pay off beyond your wildest dreams!

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I’m also doing the “Blogging A to Z Challenge” at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com. Today’s devotion is titled “Communicating with God.” Check it out!