Does adrenalin or spiritual vitality propel your household management? Do you plan your tasks so they can be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) or do you rely on adrenalin to motivate your attention to them?
A study of muscles suggests that normally we only use a small percentage of their capabilities. If we are under stress we involuntarily use our muscles beyond the limitations of their normal strength. The tasks are completed but we may end up in a state of exhaustion. As well, research reports that prolonged stress may compromise the body’s immune system, making us more susceptible to infections and potentially more serious conditions such as a heart attack.
The antidote to adrenalin being your stimulant is the cultivation of spiritual vitality. Jeremiah 17:5-8 are my life verses that propel me to spiritual vitality. I found them when I was a doctoral student spending my summers in Flagstaff, Arizona, rather than my native home of San Diego, California. I learned from those verses that I had two choices—I could be barren or blessed depending on whether I looked at all of the work I needed to accomplish or trusted in my heavenly Father to provided me with the spiritual stamina to sustain me. Further study taught me that God’s Word provides guidelines for possessing spiritual vitality in any circumstance from doctoral studies to daily mundane tasks. May I share with you some principles that emerged which continue to provide spiritual vitality for me?
Ultimately I have only two choices in life—obedience or rebellion to my heavenly Father’s instructions; if I desire spiritual vitality I will select obedience (Psalm 1:1).
I experience deep joy and contentment, not simply a superficial happiness, when I choose to seek counsel from God’s Word and godly individuals (Psalm1: 1).
My friendships need to be cultivated from those who desire to lead a godly lifestyle (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 1:10, 4:14, 7; 1Timothy 4:6-7, 6:3-5).
If I consistently internalize God’s Word (Psalm 119:11) I will possess spiritual vitality (Psalm 1:2). This internalization process begins with daily spending time reading and thinking about the Scriptures, asking my heavenly Father how I should apply them to everyday life, purposing to be obedient, through His strength, and joyfully responding to His instructions (Philippians 4:13).
The more I internalize God’s Word the more its contents will influence my daily life (Psalm 1:2-3).
My spiritual vitality is directly related to the thoughts I deposit in my memory bank—I can only withdraw what I have deposited (Psalm 1:2-3).
The more I consume spiritual food (God’s Word), the greater my spiritual appetite. As sound nutritional food choices lend themselves to my physical well-being so wise spiritual food choices contribute to my spiritual vitality (Psalm 1:2-3).
My fruitfulness is in direct proportion to the meditation and application of God’s Word (Psalm 1:2-3).
When I meditate upon and apply God’s Word to my life, I am not guaranteed consistent prosperity or exemption from life’s challenges. The prosperity that my heavenly Father does assure is peace in the midst of difficulty and attitudes that please Him (Psalm 1:3).
The ability to receive God’s abundant provision comes as I am transplanted from sin to salvation; only when I experienced salvation did I acquire the capacity to achieve long-term spiritual vitality (Psalm 1:3).
I have a responsibility to appropriate the abundant resources of God so that I possess spiritual vitality regardless of the outward circumstances (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8).
A life that displays spiritual vitality will bear fruit, even under difficult circumstances; a life lacking spiritual vitality is comparable to chaff—the outer shell that must be removed to release the valuable kernels of grain. Chaff is lightweight and is carried away by the slightest wind, while the quality kernel that drops to the earth, germinates, and eventually produces a quality harvest. I make the choice to be like chaff or grain kernels when the winds of adversity blow (Psalm 1:3-4).
I must avoid any practice that would place me in the category of an ungodly individual (Psalm 1:4).My choices, lifestyle, and appetites reveal my spiritual vitality—when I choose to refrain from every appearance of evil my spiritual vitality increases (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Daily I benefit from the truth learned from my years as a doctoral student. They taught me that the heat would come; the drought is certain; however, there is a supernatural source of vitality when I am spiritually prepared. Today, will you begin the transition from adrenalin stimulation to supernatural propulsion?
Visit The Everyday Homemaker next week as we contemplate creating a Spiritual Health Spa in your home.
Blessings on your week as you focus on making your house a home!