Spiritual Health – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Growing Closer to Christ – Striving For Optimal Spiritual Health

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)

Strive For The Best Spiritual Health: Christ created us to live in harmony with God’s Laws of Health. Our mental, emotional, and physical health impacts our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

The concept “We are what we eat” is a reality, yet healthy intake extends beyond nutrients [food]. Every day, we use our Five Senses [sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch] to either build or tear down our Spiritual Health.

Satan entices us by appealing to our Senses; still, it is our hearts’ desires that propel us to say yes to temptation. “The mind influences the body and the body influences the mind.” We are shaped by what we watch, listen to, the habits we practice, and the people in our inner circle of family and friends.

God’s Standard for Believers: “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

Because we live in a time when Satan has used digital and virtual platforms to covertly present compromising entertainment, many Christians are being deceived and engaging in sinful activities.

For example, I prefer playing logic games, so I chose one that had good reviews. All was well until it wasn’t. As I advanced to higher levels, I noticed an unusual number of words related to the occult, mythology, and criminal activity. And the Ads progressed from family appropriate to covert but suggestive immorality.

Although I diligently pray and study the Bible every day, I was focused on the game, which was challenging, and I had achieved a high score; I gradually became desensitized to the content. I thought, “It’s only a game, I don’t believe in those false teachings.”

Yahweh Nissi—Jesus Christ, Our Mighty Warrior Against Satan’s Deceptions

“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8, BSB).

Jesus loves and protects those who love Him. On the day I dismissed the game’s promotion of false teachings, during evening worship, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Do not love the things of this world.” And yes, I knew that I had a decision to make: Obey God and let go of the game, or continue in disobedience.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15, NLT).

In 2026, Blended Christianity, the integration of “soft” worldly activities, has been accepted and is being practiced by many believers:

Hanging out with people who acknowledge that God exists, but do not serve Him, watching programming and playing games with violence, sexual content, or gambling, listening to secular music [Rock, Jazz, R&B, etc.], taking sleep gummies, recreational drugs, alcoholic drinks, using profanity, and the list is endless.

“Moral perfection is required of all believers. We should never lower the standard of Righteousness in order to satisfy our desires. We need to understand that nurturing character imperfections is wilfully sinning against God.”

Christ Is Our Righteous Standard and Role Model

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17).

If unbelievers love and promote the activities, then we know they are not of God. Aggressive sports [hands-on contact], animal fights, parties with secular music, alcoholic beverages, and recreational use of marijuana, legal or not, are activities that will prevent us from receiving Eternal Life.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). We may not agree, but Jesus loved us unconditionally, paying with His life to save our souls. We cannot afford to let this Earth’s temporary trinkets corrupt our minds, making us apathetic toward receiving our Crown of Life.

The habits and lifestyles that we practice now either allow the Holy Spirit to transform us [Sanctification] to live righteously forever in a loving and peaceful New Heaven and New Earth with God, or they do not.

Every aspect of our being, our thoughts, choices, activities, and friends must reflect God’s Holiness. And yes, it is a tough decision, but we cannot justify socializing with unbelieving family members. It is always the Christian who must compromise when they choose friends who do not follow Christ.

We must ask ourselves, Does this activity or individual represent the Righteousness of Christ? Pray before embracing fun and relaxing activities, and let God choose your friends.

Reflection: We cannot judge ourselves. Our lifestyle reveals if we are following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Still, we should pray and ask God, “Does my heart and lifestyle represent the Righteousness of Christ?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

Lord God, we ask You to reveal the habits, activities, friends, and family members who are preventing us from living holy and receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to create a pure heart within us. As we live to honor Your Holy Name, Lord, we ask for Your guidance, wisdom, and strength as we strive to live righteously. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Rest Breaks: A Time to Receive Spiritual Renewal and Restoration

Today, I looked at my Air Purifier that runs 24/7 and wondered how much more time it has left. It is easy to replace machines, just purchase another one, but most are treating their minds and bodies like machines that can be easily replaced.

How did we get to the point of despising these much-needed, rejuvenating times of rest? We have embraced the non-stop busyness of always being in a hurry which doesn’t give our fearfully and wonderfully made minds and bodies time to renew, restore, and regenerate itself.

Rest vs Sleep: They are not the same.

“For most, feeling tired or worn down might make you think you need more sleep. While quality sleep is critical to feeling whole, rest is so much more than your nightly hours of shut-eye.”

“Rest involves your whole being, not just your body. With complete and regular rest, you will restore your health, enhance your performance, and achieve an amazing sense of wellness.”

“So many small — but impactful — bouts of rest can be incorporated into your everyday routine.”

Take Routine Time Outs

“Removing yourself from a stressful situation or anxious environment might be all you need to take a mental and physical break. Think of it as your own little “time out” to connect with your thoughts, feelings and body. Even a short, calming prayer can help you rejuvenate in body, mind and spirit.”

The Lack of Rest is Dangerous to Our Spiritual Relationship with God

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ ” (Mark 6:31, NIV).

Jesus, the Creator of humanity, in His earthly life also adhered to the principles of maintaining one’s health by establishing boundaries. Our Savior never expected His disciples to follow the rigid schedule that He endured.

As terrible as it sounds, truthfully, when we are mentally fatigued, the last thing that we desire to do is to study the Scriptures, Pray, and be in the Divine presence of God.

Our inability to concentrate, pay attention to the small details, use critical thinking, and sound judgment are greatly impacted by our lack of regenerative rest periods. Mental fatigue impacts our ability to think outside of an emotional responses.

Satan uses our overloaded schedules to distract us from spending time with God, and to present alternative [demonic] modalities, burning sage, secular music, Eastern meditation, alcohol, mushroom tea, CBD, and hours of scrolling on social media designed to produce a false state of euphoria.

Many Christian believers who are reading this devotional may not be aware that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. To clarify, we are not in the End Times which occur right before Jesus comes again.

The Apostle Paul defines the characteristics of Perilous Times, which is now.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Jesus has not kept secrets from us, in the Book of Revelation, we know how the story ends. In Matthew chapter 24, the signs that Jesus gave to his disciples are rapidly being fulfilled!

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8).

Jesus’ forewarning is not to instill fear, but to give us the opportunity to review our lives and to eliminate any roadblocks that will prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life.

Take a day off to separate yourself, silence all distractions, and scrutinize your lifestyle. Pray for guidance and perform the task of prioritizing and eliminating all activities that prevent your ability to incorporate small blocks of spiritual rest breaks throughout your waking hours.

I can recall working for United Healthcare as a Quality nurse with the responsibility of assisting physicians to deliver patient care within Medicare’s guidelines. Every day it was a taxing effort to prepare ourselves to present the monthly reports of deficiencies to the Doctors, which always produced an escalated level of resistance.

One day, I felt extreme burnout and fatigue, and recall thinking, “I cannot do this job much longer.” The Holy Spirit spoke through my thoughts instructing me to take my lunch break in my vehicle. Yes, for an hour, I listened to inspirational music, sang, prayed for strength, and mental clarity, and God intervened by renewing my strength, and changing my perception of the position, Do not take the pushbacks personally.

Begin and end your day with prayer and study of the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in incorporating several short rest breaks, using them as a time to ask for clarity, strength, and wisdom.

Whisper a prayer, listen to music, sing, and reflect on God’s Faithfulness, thanking Him for His never-ending love and mercies.

Nothing compares to receiving a spiritual boost of Jesus’ Supernatural strength!

“Yet those who hope in Yahweh will gain new power; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; They will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31, LSB). Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we come to you weary and fatigued by the responsibilities in our lives. We ask for Your Divine guidance in eliminating all unnecessary activities that have distanced us from You. Jesus, we need your strength and wisdom to persevere through this journey of life. And we thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

The Season of Stillness – Sabbath Peace and Blessings

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ ” —Mark 6:31, NIV

Rest Is An Essential Component of Maintaining Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health. Rest is the healthiest habit we can form to maintain optimal health and wellness.

Fortifying the soul: Rest is essential for strengthening the soul and receiving wisdom from God.
Finding peace: Rest can help people find peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Finding rest in Christ: Rest comes from learning of Christ and co-working with Him.
Restoring health: Rest helps with physical and mental health, and is a remedy for fatigue, stress, depression, and burnout.
Preparing for spiritual practices: Rest allows people to quiet their minds for prayer, Bible study, and meditation.
Developing self-control: Rest helps people develop self-control and choose right from wrong.
Enjoying nature: Resting in nature is beneficial for the mind and body.

Fatigue easily escalates into an unhealthy stressor. If mental and physical stress is sustained [due to insufficient rest], eventually, we push our minds and bodies into a Crisis Mode, and the first needful system that begins to fail is our Immune System. Created in the image of God is our catalyst for renouncing the worldview, “Keep going!”

Pushing our minds and bodies beyond healthy limits prevents us from receiving the spiritual blessing of Jesus’ Supernatural Strength. God instituted rest. In fact, we have 24 hours of Sabbath rest to redirect our focus away from the demands of our rigorous lifestyles. Rest is required to establish a lifestyle of prayer and meaningful worship, and to maintain a consistent schedule for daily Bible Study.

Spiritual Growth and Transformation is a daily process that requires our cooperation with Divinity. Our goal is to use our earthly lifespan to prepare for Eternal Life. Do not allow success, money, or tangible acquisitions to push your body into overdrive. Our earthly lives are temporary. Allow yourself a weekly season of stillness, Jesus will release His healing power of Restoration, and the Holy Spirit will replenish your mind, body, and soul. Peace and blessings.